Lando Norris may have just been crowned 2025 Formula 1 world champion in Abu Dhabi, but his McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri is adamant that nothing fundamental will change inside the Woking garage next season. The Australian spent much of the year leading the drivers’ standings, only to see his title hopes fade in the final third of the campaign. A strong fightback in Qatar and a brilliant second place in the Abu Dhabi finale – including a stunning outside pass on Lando Norris at Turn 9 on lap one – wasn’t enough to overturn the deficit.
Oscar Piastri ended the season 13 points behind Norris and 11 behind Max Verstappen, finishing a credible but painful third. With hindsight, the controversial decision to let Norris keep position at Monza after a late safety car proved decisive: three more points for Oscar Piastri that day would have sent the crown to Verstappen by a single point. Yet, in a 24-race marathon where all three title contenders dropped scores at various tracks, dwelling on one moment feels pointless.
McLaren’s “Papaya Rules” – allowing both drivers to race freely while promising parity – were tested to the limit in 2025, yet ultimately delivered the constructors’ championship early and the drivers’ title on the final lap. The big question heading into the all-new 2026 regulations is whether Norris’ status as reigning champion will shift the internal balance of power.
Speaking after the Abu Dhabi podium, Oscar Piastri gave a refreshingly straightforward answer when asked if he expects a different dynamic next year. “No, I don’t think so. Nothing will change for me,” he told Motorsport.com. “Obviously he had a great season and he’s a deserving champion, but he’s still Lando Norris – he hasn’t turned into Superman overnight.”
“So I don’t think that will change anything. I obviously expect full fairness from the team and equal treatment going forward, and I have zero concerns that will be any different. But yes, clearly Lando had a very strong season and in the end he just did a better job.”
The comments underline the mature relationship between the pair, who have repeatedly insisted they enjoy racing each other hard and clean. Team principal Andrea Stella has always maintained that keeping both drivers happy and motivated is the fastest way to wins – a philosophy that paid off spectacularly in 2025.
With completely new cars arriving in 2026, McLaren heads into the winter as the team to beat. If Oscar Piastri’s prediction holds true, the intra-team battle between a reigning champion and a hungry near-champion could make the papaya cars even stronger – provided the Papaya Rules survive another year under the brightest spotlight in the sport.
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