Lando Norris has declared himself ready for a season-long fight with McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri, admitting their close battle will likely continue “until the end”. The British driver, who just won the Hungarian Grand Prix, expects the intra-team rivalry to intensify in the second half of the season.
Norris and Piastri have been closely matched in 2025, claiming five and six wins respectively this season and seven 1-2 finishes for the team. Currently, Oscar Piastri leads the Driver’s championship, but Norris’ win last weekend narrowed the gap to just 9 points.
Lando Norris Embraces the Challenge
The McLaren pair have traded strong results, and the team now leads both the Constructors’ and Drivers’ Championship so far. Lando Norris acknowledges Piastri’s quality has raised the stakes this season. The 24-year-old admits that maintaining an edge over his teammate will require constant improvement.
“It has been a tough battle so far with Oscar, and it is going to continue to be tough,” Norris told ESPN.“The margins between us are pretty small. There are things I can do better and improve on, and I am sure he will probably say the same thing. So, it is going to be a good and tough fight, probably until the end.”
Piastri, in his third F1 season, had quickly adapted to the demands of competing at the front. His progress has forced Norris to elevate his game, creating a healthy competition that benefits the team. This competitive dynamic has pushed the team forward, as seen with their 10th double podium this season in Hungary and rest of their string of strong results.
Controlling the Team Rivalry
Despite the intense on-track battle, Norris emphasises that the rivalry remains respectful. McLaren has managed the situation well, allowing both drivers to race freely while maintaining team unity.
In Hungary, we heard the race engineers instruct them to race but with a stern warning: “Remember how we go racing”. That is to say, McLaren doesn’t mind their drivers racing as long as it is done with respect for each other and the team.
Norris ⚔️ Piastri: How did they not collide?! 😱#F1 #HungarianGP pic.twitter.com/Wu3LmlcOwP
— Formula 1 (@F1) August 3, 2025
Norris has voiced this philosophy in interviews, revealing why he won’t get aggressive with his championship rival and teammate: “I care about winning and losing. But that doesn’t mean I need to take it out on Oscar”.
The drivers’ mature approach doesn’t mean they are any less determined. The coming races will test both drivers’ skill and mental strength as they go wheel to wheel for the Drivers’ championship. The team’s commitment to fair competition sets the stage for a title fight that could go down to the final laps of the season. Lando Norris Ready for War, Admits Close Battle with Oscar Piastri Will Go On ‘Until the End’
