A small group of senior figures at McLaren discuss racing strategy with their drivers, reviewing each grand prix and applying lessons to the next. This process occurs in formal meetings, informal conversations, and on an ad hoc basis, continually building over time.
This approach is only sustainable if everyone adheres to the principles, even when problems arise during a Formula 1 season. In 2025, several races—Hungary, italy, Singapore, and austin—tested the team’s harmony.
In hungary, Norris switched to a one-stop strategy after a poor start, ultimately beating Piastri, who spent the final laps unsuccessfully attempting to pass Norris for the win. More details on the Hungary race can be found here.
In Italy, a decision to alter the pit-stop order—after Norris and Piastri ran behind Verstappen—resulted in a slow pit stop for Norris and Piastri being asked to relinquish second place he had gained. Read more about the italy race here.
Singapore saw Norris pass Piastri into third place at the first corner, making contact in the process. Piastri questioned the move over the radio, asking, “Are we cool with Lando just barging me out of the way?” Find details on the Singapore race here.
In Austin, a sprint race collision between Piastri and Norris, resulting from Piastri’s attempted overtake, eliminated both drivers. More information on the Austin collision is available here.
These incidents sparked external accusations of favoritism towards Norris or excessive team interference. Internally, however, the issues were addressed privately and constructively, with all parties reportedly satisfied with the resolutions.
McLaren insiders state that driver meetings are conducted openly, calmly, and constructively, leading to resolutions where everyone can move forward, even if they initially disagreed. The drivers have publicly maintained this narrative.
Piastri has dismissed suggestions of unfair treatment, stating he is “very happy that there’s no favouritism or bias.” Norris added, “we still always have the right to question it. We’re never going to just go around…and be happy to accept whatever the team wants to do.” He continued, “I understand that a lot of peopel have different opinions…But I still stand by the fact that Andrea and Oscar and all of us together are confident that our approach is better than what other people’s are.”
Team principal Brown dismissed claims of favoring Norris as “nonsense.” He explained the decision to allow Norris a one-stop strategy in Hungary, stating, “Andrea and I were like, ‘This ain’t gonna work.’ But it was a free punt, and Lando drove brilliantly.”
Regarding Monza, Brown drew parallels to the previous year’s Hungarian Grand prix, where Norris allowed Piastri to pass for the win after a similar pit-lane agreement. “If the lead car is prepared to sacrifice their rights to the first call to help his team-mate, who’s actually his number one competitor in the championship, that’s great teamwork,” Brown said.
“So I understand what it looks like from the outside, but it’s not what’s going on on the inside, and we’re trying so hard to give them equal possibility and let them race hard. I wish everyone recognised more of that. But I’ve definitely come to the conclusion there’s too many fans with too many views that we’ve just got to be comfortable with how we’re going racing inside McLaren, and that’s what’s most notable to us.”
