Considerations on the approach McLaren’s management might take with its drivers when the most important trophy finally arrives in the team’s cabinet
The question of how the McLaren Formula 1 team will handle celebrations in the event that either Lando Norris or Oscar Piastri wins the drivers’ world championship has become a topic of growing interest. This is particularly relevant given the fierce competition between the two teammates and the team’s need to preserve internal harmony as the title fight reaches its decisive stages.
Their battle for the world championship is exceptionally close. Just past the halfway point of the season, the two are separated by a mere nine points in the standings. Oscar Piastri currently leads the championship, with Lando Norris chasing just behind. This means that the prospect of one of them securing the most prestigious title in motorsport is not only a defining moment for the driver who prevails but also a critical juncture for the team, which must manage its internal dynamics carefully to prevent any fractures in the relationship.
The Woking-based squad has enjoyed a highly successful season, giving both of its drivers the machinery to consistently fight for podiums and victories. Yet this success brings with it a unique challenge: how to celebrate the triumph of one driver without alienating or demotivating the other, who will have nonetheless played a major role in the team’s achievements.
Zak Brown’s statements
McLaren’s Chief Executive Officer, Zak Brown, has addressed the matter publicly, showing that he is fully aware of the delicacy of the situation. In a recent interview, Brown explained that the management of celebrations for a potential championship victory would be a process carried out in consultation with the drivers themselves. The aim would be to ensure that the driver who finishes second in the standings does not feel overshadowed or undervalued, preserving the mutual respect that Norris and Piastri have demonstrated throughout the season.
Brown stressed the need for caution, stating that the team would speak with both drivers to understand how they would like the celebrations to unfold, making sure no one’s feelings were hurt. The idea, according to Brown, is to celebrate the champion while at the same time recognising the vital contribution of the other driver to the team’s overall success.
This cautious approach is informed by the knowledge that mishandling such a moment can lead to damaging tensions, as has been seen in the past with other teams — for example, the infamous rivalry between Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg during their years as Mercedes teammates. However, Brown expressed confidence in the current relationship between Norris and Piastri, describing it as respectful and professional, which in his view reduces the likelihood of any major escalation in tensions.
McLaren: “Papaya Rules” also for the celebrations
McLaren appears to be planning an inclusive approach to celebrations, involving both drivers in setting the tone and style of the victory events to ensure they both feel acknowledged and appreciated.
The celebrations may focus more on the collective achievement of the entire Woking organisation rather than solely on the individual champion. The messaging following a title win will be carefully crafted to avoid putting one driver on a pedestal at the expense of the other, instead emphasising the shared effort and mutual support that have underpinned the team’s success.
Both Norris and Piastri have made it clear that they want to win in a fair and sporting manner, and the team has worked throughout the season to maintain an even playing field, avoiding any perception of favouritism. The real test will come if the championship is decided at the final race or by the narrowest of margins.
The McLaren of the Senna-Prost and Alonso-Hamilton rivalries no longer exists
In the collective imagination of Formula 1 fans — and indeed in the sport’s history — McLaren has been the team that produced some of the fiercest rivalries the motorsport world has ever seen. The legendary on-track battle between Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost not only defined an era but also elevated Formula 1’s global profile to the heights we know today. Years later, in the 2000s, the team became the setting for another infamous intra-team conflict, this time between Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton, a rivalry that was further complicated by a high-profile espionage scandal.
In both of those turbulent periods, the team principal was Ron Dennis, a figure who, despite the softer portrayal seen in the Netflix miniseries about Senna, was known for running a tight ship and not going easy on his drivers. Today, that role is held by Andrea Stella, a team principal who appears to have a more diplomatic and less authoritarian style than his predecessor.
The modern McLaren projects an image of peace and harmony, almost like a picture-perfect “Mulino Bianco” family. Within this environment, mistakes are acknowledged, apologies are made, and forgiveness is granted. Judging by recent results, this approach has certainly been effective — but sooner or later, a breaking point may come, and when it does, one of Piastri or Norris will inevitably come out as the loser in the fight for the crown.
Both drivers are still young, with many years of racing ahead of them, and will have further opportunities to compete for glory. Motorsport, however, remains a cruel arena where only one can ultimately triumph, and where second chances are never guaranteed. At McLaren’s Woking headquarters, it may be wise to plan for a celebration worthy of the achievement. After all, the team has not celebrated a drivers’ championship title since 2008. Following such a long wait, a modest or subdued party would seem out of place. With two talented and mature drivers in Norris and Piastri, the team should have confidence in treating them both as professionals — and celebrating without holding back.
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