Oscar Piastri says his relationship with McLaren teammate Lando Norris is “better than ever”, even though the pair are locked in a fierce fight for the 2025 Formula 1 title.
The two have been each other’s main rivals all season, and things have not always been smooth between them. There were collisions in Canada and Singapore, as well as the controversial team orders moment at Monza. But Piastri insists the tensions have not damaged the friendship.
Speaking on the Beyond the Grid podcast, Piastri said their bond has improved as they head into their third year as teammates. He explained that the more time they spend together, the more they understand each other, and any frustrations fade quickly.
He admitted there are moments when emotions run high, but both drivers are good at calming down and moving on. According to Piastri, this ability to “leave things on the track” has helped keep the team united.
The Australian also defended McLaren’s much-debated “Papaya Rules”, the system used to manage the competition between their two young stars. Some fans think the rules limit racing, but Piastri thinks the opposite.
He says the structure keeps things fair and stops situations from getting out of control. Both drivers know exactly how to behave when racing each other, and Piastri believes this clarity has prevented bigger arguments.
Although he admits there have been painful moments, especially the one that cost him victory at Silverstone, he says it’s important to stay focused. A time penalty behind the Safety Car ruined his winning chances that day, and while the team felt the call was harsh, McLaren didn’t reverse the positions. Norris won the race, and Piastri had to settle for second.
Piastri admits “it hurt”, but says he made peace with it before the next race. Looking back, he still disagrees with the penalty, but also sees things he could have done differently.
He believes that holding onto anger only makes things worse, and that dealing with setbacks quickly is the key to surviving in F1.
With only three races left and a 24-point gap to Norris, Piastri knows he cannot afford to dwell on the past. His focus is clear: he wants to become the 2025 Formula 1 World Champion.
