Piastri’s Contract Guarantees Equity, McLaren Bans...read more

Equal Treatment Mandatory at McLaren: Piastri’s Contract Prefers Favoritism”

McLaren faces an unprecedented challenge in its championship campaign as contractual obligations prevent the team from favoring either Lando Norris or Oscar Piastri, despite their neck-and-neck title fight.

The British outfit’s dream start to 2025 has created an unusual predicament, with both drivers proving equally capable of winning races. Former F1 champion Jacques Villeneuve has revealed Piastri’s contract includes specific clauses ensuring equal status within the team.

Contractual Lockdown on Team Orders
McLaren’s much-discussed “papaya rules” for driver conduct have already come into play this season when Piastri was instructed not to challenge Norris in Melbourne. However, Villeneuve confirms the team can’t go further in supporting one driver over another.

“Piastri’s deal has safeguards against becoming a clear number two,” the 1997 title winner explained. “Unless the constructors’ championship is at stake or there’s a major performance gap, McLaren must treat them equally.”

A New Dynamic in the Title Fight
The current standings show Norris with a narrow 10-point advantage, but Piastri’s commanding China performance demonstrated his growing consistency. Villeneuve noted: “Oscar’s showing remarkable maturity – he’s converting strong weekends into results while Lando’s occasional mistakes are proving costly.”

This creates a fascinating strategic dilemma for McLaren, who last season faced criticism for not fully backing Norris against Verstappen. Now with two genuine contenders, team principal Andrea Stella must navigate a championship battle where contractual and sporting considerations collide.

Will McLaren’s hands-off approach prove decisive in the title race? Or will the lack of a clear team hierarchy ultimately benefit their rivals? As the European season approaches, the Woking squad’s driver management will be under intense scrutiny.