McLaren F1 believes it can avoid the emergence of tensions between its team's drivers, even if it compares Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri to “two lions in a cage”.
The Woking team approaches the 2025 season as favorites, building on its momentum from 2024. But, unlike Red Bull for example, it does not have a clearly designated No. 1 driver.
McLaren has previously been criticized when it showed a reluctance to impose team orders to help Norris. A position which contrasts with the past, because McLaren was used to seeing relations deteriorate between its teammates, Alain Prost and Ayrton Senna or even Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton.
McLaren CEO Zak Brown, however, is confident that the environment he has cultivated will help prevent cracks from emerging in his duo when asked if we should expect internecine strife between his two drivers in 2025 for the world title.
“I'm not worried, but I'm aware that something like this could happen if you're not careful.”
“There are many examples in the past. At home, obviously. Elsewhere too. Piquet against Mansell, Hamilton against Rosberg.”
“A lot depends on the personality of the pilots. We are lucky to have two lions in a cage, but they get along well.”
-“The transparency we maintain at McLaren builds trust. And when a storm threatens, we try to contain it before it gains momentum.”
“That’s why we always involve our drivers together in our marketing activities, play golf together and go out to dinner together in the evening.”
“It helps us deal with difficult situations, like dealing with the stops in Hungary. I'm sure we can handle that in the future as well.”
