Piastri plays it cool: Norris' title won't turn him into ‘superman’

As the dust settles on a thrilling 2025 F1 season, McLaren's Oscar Piastri is keeping his feet firmly on the ground about what Lando Norris' hard-fought world championship title means for their partnership.

The Australian star, who pushed his teammate all the way before a mid-season dip cost him the lead, insists the dynamic in the garage will stay exactly the same heading into 2026.

Norris sealed his first drivers' crown with a steady third place in Abu Dhabi, edging out Max Verstappen by a razor-thin two points while Piastri took second on the night.

But for much of the year, it was Piastri who held the championship advantage, topping the standings for 15 rounds until a tough six-race podium drought opened the door for Norris to surge ahead.

The 24-year-old, ever straightforward, brushed off any suggestion that Norris' new champion status will elevate him to untouchable heights within the team.

“No, I don't think so, I don't think that will change anything,” Piastri stated. “For me he's obviously had a great season this year and a deserving champion, but he's still Lando Norris - it's not like he's become Superman.

“So, I don't think things will change with that. I'm expecting, obviously, full fairness from the team and kind of equality going forward and I don't have any concerns that that will change at all.

“But yeah, I think clearly Lando's had a very strong season this year and ultimately did a better job.”

Piastri made it clear he's counting on McLaren to maintain the level playing field that defined their intense but respectful rivalry this year.

A Rivalry That Sharpens Both Blades

Despite the high-stakes battle for glory, the McLaren duo managed to keep tensions from boiling over, turning pressure into progress instead.

"I think it is a testament to the way we go racing,” Piastri said. “Obviously, it's not easy fighting for both the Constructors' Championship and the Drivers' Championship with two very evenly matched drivers.

“But ultimately, that's a problem we knew we were going to have. At the end of the day, I think there's a lot of good things that come from that.

“Yes, there's difficult moments and tension at times, but I think both Lando and I have become better drivers from pushing each other to the limit. Sometimes that's been uncomfortable for everyone, but ultimately, yeah, it's been a good thing.

"We've had a lot of discussions through the year, and I'm sure we'll have discussions in the off-season about anything we want to do slightly differently for next year.

“But I think at the end of the day, they gave us both as good a chance as the team could have to fairly fight for a world championship, and that's all you can ask for."

Read also:

• Brown backs Piastri for F1 title glory: 'Oscar will be world champion'

With McLaren firmly back among the front-runners and two drivers capable of winning races on any given weekend, Piastri's calm confidence signals an exciting rematch ahead.

No crowns, no capes – just two hungry talents ready to go wheel-to-wheel again.

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