Guenther Steiner predicts more McLaren drama: “Another Norris–Piastri crash is only a matter of time”. Guenther Steiner believes another collision between Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri is inevitable.

Guenther Steiner, the former Haas team principal, predicts more on-track drama between Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri as the Formula 1 World Drivers’ Championship battle heats up.

McLaren tension rises as the title fight tightens

The atmosphere inside the McLaren camp is becoming increasingly tense. With the Constructors’ Championship already secured, the Woking-based team’s full focus has shifted to the internal fight for the Drivers’ crown. Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris are separated by just 22 points, with only six race weekends remaining in the 2025 season.

According to Guenther Steiner, the rivalry between the two McLaren drivers could soon lead to another disastrous collision on track. Speaking on The Red Flags podcast, the Italian-South Tyrolean did not mince words, saying that it’s “only a matter of time” before another clash happens between the McLaren teammates.

“I’d say there’s gas again this time,” Steiner commented, referring to the possibility of another incident. “Then they’ll be forced to impose some team rules. It’s not certain they’ll decide who should win, but they’ll have to take some kind of action.”

A rivalry already tested on track

So far, McLaren has allowed its drivers to race freely, asking only that they avoid risky moves. However, the delicate balance has already been broken once this season — in Canada — where contact between Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri ended both drivers’ races prematurely. Since then, tensions have continued to rise, especially after a series of close battles and wheel-to-wheel duels seen at Monza and Singapore.

For Steiner, the team can no longer afford to let things play out without intervention. “I would say they should support Oscar to win the championship,” he explained. “Up until now, they’ve raced freely, but now they need a clear direction. If they don’t pick a driver to back, they’ll end up crashing again. It’s inevitable.”

Zak Brown defends equal treatment

McLaren CEO Zak Brown, however, continues to defend his policy of equality between the two drivers. In an interview with Bloomberg, Brown reaffirmed that Norris and Piastri will continue to fight on equal terms: “We want both our drivers to battle for the title with the same opportunities. No team orders — may the best man win.”

Steiner, though, believes such a philosophy could backfire, especially with so much at stake. The former Haas boss warned that if McLaren maintains its current approach, another internal collision before Abu Dhabi could be unavoidable. And in a season where every point could make the difference between a world champion and a runner-up, one mistake between teammates could prove extremely costly.