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Gary Anderson Warns McLaren of Potential Driver Tensions in 2025 F1 Season
McLaren, fresh off their first Constructors’ Championship win since 1998, could face internal challenges with their driver lineup in the 2025 Formula 1 season. Gary Anderson, a former F1 car designer, has predicted potential “fireworks” between Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, urging the team to manage their drivers carefully.
In 2024, McLaren’s pairing of Norris and Piastri proved formidable, outscoring Ferrari to secure the championship. However, Anderson, writing for The Race, highlighted the risk of tensions flaring between the two evenly matched drivers, particularly if McLaren fails to keep them in check on track.
Reflecting on last season, Anderson noted that while the duo maintained a relatively harmonious working relationship, cracks began to show before McLaren introduced their “Papaya Rules” to manage driver dynamics. Before the rules were in place, Piastri showed little inclination to play a secondary role to Norris in the championship fight. The Australian notably outperformed Norris in Hungary and Italy, finishing ahead in crucial races as Norris tried to close the gap to Max Verstappen in the drivers’ standings.
Although Piastri shifted to a more supportive role in the latter stages of the season, including letting Norris through in the Brazilian Sprint race, his early-season performance demonstrated his competitiveness. Piastri’s slower start to the year created a points gap that cemented Norris as McLaren’s lead driver. However, heading into 2025, that dynamic resets, with both drivers starting on equal footing. Now in his third F1 season, Piastri will be eager to showcase his full potential and prove he can match Norris’s achievements.
Anderson believes this newfound equality could lead to friction between the two drivers. “From my point of view, Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri are the most evenly matched pairing on the grid,” he wrote. Without team orders in place, McLaren will need to carefully manage their driver relationship to avoid any potential on-track disputes disrupting their campaign.
As McLaren aims to defend their Constructors’ Championship and push for more success, the team must address this potential challenge early. Ensuring harmony between Norris and Piastri will be critical to sustaining their momentum and keeping the focus on fighting for victories rather than managing internal conflicts.
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