McLaren admits to mistakes made in managing Piastri and Norris during their on-track battles. McLaren on managing Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris during their on-track battles.

As we approach March 16, when the first lights of the new Formula 1 season will go out at the Albert Park circuit in Australia, this is shaping up to be one of the most fiercely contested years in recent times, with four teams fighting for the two titles. There is no room for mistakes. McLaren CEO Zak Brown admits all the errors that must not be repeated in 2025 if they want to win the championship.

McLaren enters this new season as the number one favorite. After what the team demonstrated last year, winning the constructors’ title after many years, it cannot be ruled out. What initially seemed like mere speculation was clearly confirmed during the three days of pre-season testing in Bahrain. From the very first day, the papaya-colored car, especially with Norris, proved to be the fastest.

The MCL39 is very stable, responding perfectly to the drivers’ demands, with a race pace that is simply the best. Norris managed to string together a series of laps with a consistency that none of his rivals could match. On paper, their advantage should be between one and two tenths per lap. However, it is important to note that the first race will take place on a completely different track—a “street circuit” with different temperatures and asphalt conditions, which could bring other teams into play.

But as seen last year, speed alone is not enough. Without a combination of performance, strategy, and driver management, success is unattainable. This was McLaren’s main shortcoming last year and something that must be significantly improved for 2025. Netflix cameras, covering the team during the Monza weekend for the seventh season of *Drive to Survive*, set to be released on Friday, March 7, captured this issue firsthand.

At the Italian circuit, we witnessed one of the team’s biggest missteps involving both drivers. Oscar Piastri attacked his teammate Lando Norris aggressively, causing Norris to lose two positions. A situation like this must not be repeated in 2025, a season where the battle will be more open than ever. Even those directly involved acknowledge this.

“We made mistakes, and if we want to win the championship, we need to minimize these errors; otherwise, it will be difficult,” said Zak Brown. The two drivers also responded. Lando Norris stated, “If I had expected him to do what he did, I wouldn’t have given him the chance. It cost us the victory.” Oscar Piastri, however, does not agree: “We are free to race each other, so there is no rule at the first corner.”