Remember, in 2016. Formula 1 is only in its third year in the hybrid era, an era ultra-dominated by Mercedes and its two pilots, Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg. Between them, the two teammates won 51 of the 59 Grands Prix disputed between 2014 and 2016 and shared the three titles available, with two for the British and one for the German. An exceptional supremacy which has not been without consequence on the relationship between the two accomplices and which caused, for three years, many moments of tension within the German stable.
Former best friends, Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg have become better enemies in F1, under pressure and the stake of the world title. For three seasons, the two Mercedes pilots hung on, both on the track and outside, with moments that have become emblematic such as the accident of the first round during the 2016 Spain Grand Prix. A rivalry which entered the history of Formula 1 by its intensity and by its dramaturgy. Nine years later, there are two teammates again at the top of the manufacturer championship, both with a fierce desire to win their first world title.
After six Grands Prix, Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris dominate the 2025 championship, with four victories for the first and one for the second. In the pilot ranking, the two McLaren pilots trust the first two places with 131 points for Oscar Piastri and 115 points for Lando Norris. And if, for the moment, everything happens for the best between the two teammates with a cordial agreement, in the Paddock of Formula 1, we are already expecting the worst. Zak Brown himself predicts a hanging ” inevitable “ Between his two pilots. “We have two racing pilots, no matter if they are part of the same team or not, they will be side by side for 24 great prices, and one of them will end up blocking its brakes …”said the CEO of McLaren Racing at the end of April.
Norris and little concerned Piastri
So, can we fear a destiny similar to that of Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg between Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris? What will happen when the two pilots will hang for the first time, if it happens? Could McLaren face the same situation as Mercedes at the start of the hybrid era? For the two young pilots of the British stable, for the moment, there is no source to worry. “Only time will tell us”Philosopher Lando Norris when asked, at a press conference in Miami, if a scenario in Hamilton-Rosberg is possible between him and his Australian teammate.
Oscar Piastri prefers to take the subject with a little irony. “Yes, we have already said that we are trying to repeat [la saison] 2007 (with the rivalry between Alonso and Hamilton at McLaren, editor’s note), so … I don’t know, The championship leader has fun. We clearly know that we have our strengths. We have always been close to each other. It will be a great battle. There will be weekends where Lando will be stronger, and weekends when I will be stronger. We are very aware of the fact that we want to succeed as long as we are at McLaren, which represents a very long period for both of us. We are aware that there will be a fight. We both want to become world champions but we don’t want to be satisfied with one opportunity to succeed. We want it for the years to come and it is an important thing to keep in mind. »»
Unlike Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg, Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri did not maintain a friendly relationship before their association in McLaren, in 2023, which removes an “romantic” aspect from their emerging rivalry. The two pilots of the British stable have a fairly different temperament, as is their way of piloting the MCL39. An opposition of style that can either create sparks or cause fire in the McLaren house. And even if the Woking team is already preparing for the impact of a hanging between its two pilots, it will also have to manage Egos and everyone’s wishes in more complex situations, especially on team instructions.
Mercedes example, a case to avoid
At the time, Mercedes had decided to let his two pilots fight for the championship, as their advance with the manufacturers was impressive. The friendly relationship between Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg quickly deteriorated in 2014: from the sixth Grand Prix of the season, in Monaco, the “break” was made public by the British after the German victory in the streets of the Principality. The two teammates had then worked each in their corner, by cutting any personal and professional relationship, only contenting themselves with fulfilling sports and media obligations at Mercedes. So, is it more difficult, psychologically and sportingly, to fight in front of his teammate for the championship?
“In a way, yes and no, replies Oscar Piastri. We know exactly exactly how the other pilot. We know our strengths, and perhaps some of our weaknesses. From this point of view, you therefore have more information, but it goes in both directions. We both know that we have the same car, which eliminates a factor, but having the same car leads to other complications. You can have the same strengths and the same weaknesses on the track. Given the difficulty in following the cars, 9 times out of 10, the one in front of at the start will probably be in front at the end. Then there are the strategies and everything that comes into play when you are in the same team. There are positive and negative aspects. »» It remains to be seen now how each of the parties concerned will react when the two pilots meet on the track. Go to the first contact.
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