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After winning the Formula 1 Constructors’ World Championship in 2024, McLaren have hit new heights in 2025. The Papaya have claimed 11 wins from the first 14 races before the summer break – including the last four in a row. Lando Norris vs Oscar Piastri is the talk of the Paddock, but which of them will become the first driver not named Max Verstappen to win the Drivers’ World Championship since 2020?
Norris’ narrow win at the Hungarian Grand Prix saw the Brit move just nine points behind Piastri in the Driver’s standings and 88 ahead of Verstappen. As one of the greatest of all time, Verstappen can never quite be ruled out until it’s mathematically impossible. However, the difficulties the Dutchman and Red Bull have faced with their machinery, combined with the McLaren dominance, makes it hard to see a comeback from this point.
F1 has a rich history of intra-team rivalries. From Senna vs Prost to Hamilton vs Rosberg, where teammates push each other to the limit, often at the cost of harmony. In 2025, McLaren finds itself at the centre of a new chapter: Lando Norris vs Oscar Piastri. But how will this rivalry end?
In this blog, we break down the battle for the title so far, where it could be won or lost and the perspective of the fans.
The Battle So Far
Head-to-head
With both McLaren drivers firmly in the 2025 title fight, their battle has been as close on paper as it’s been on track. Here’s how Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri stack up after 14 rounds.
Key Moments
The 2025 title fight began at Albert Park in March, at Oscar Piastri’s home Grand Prix in Australia. Lando Norris set the tone early. Driving with confidence, leading most of the race, and only briefly losing the lead after a mistake handed Max Verstappen a chance. Norris recovered to take his first win of the season and, with it, the lead in the Drivers’ Championship for the very first time. Piastri, meanwhile, had a far tougher start. After slipping as low as 13th, he salvaged 9th place and a handful of points but it was a frustrating result in front of a home crowd expecting more.
Just one week later, at the Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai, McLaren’s Australian starlet hit back. Piastri claimed his first win of the season in the Papaya’s first 1-2 of the year. That kicked off an exceptional run: three wins from the next four races, plus a podium in Japan. Norris remained in contention with consistent podiums, but Piastri had seized the early momentum.
While the rivalry stayed respectful, fans began to sense that a flashpoint was inevitable and it came at the Canadian Grand Prix on June 15th. Norris attempted a late overtake on his teammate but misjudged it, making contact and retiring from the race. It was his first DNF of the season and a big swing in the title race.
Doubts crept in: did Norris have the edge under pressure? He answered with a statement. Back-to-back victories in Austria and at Silverstone, fulfilling a lifelong dream by winning in front of a home crowd. Piastri responded with another win at Spa, but when Norris triumphed again in Hungary – leading another McLaren 1-2 – the gap between the pair had closed to just nine points heading into the summer break.
Driving Styles
Lando Norris vs Oscar Piastri is the battle of 2025. The pair are separated by just a handful of points in the championship, but their driving styles can’t be considered as being particularly similar. Both have different ways of attacking a Grand Prix weekend, making this title battle so compelling and unpredictable.
Lando Norris
Norris is the smooth operator. Known for his precision and consistency, he rarely makes unforced errors and is exceptional at managing tyres over long stints. His racecraft has matured significantly in recent years, and his ability to extract performance in tricky conditions has earned him a reputation as one of the most complete drivers on the grid.
In qualifying, Norris is reliably sharp, often able to pull out a lap when it matters most. His emotional connection with the team, built over years at McLaren, adds another dimension. You can feel how much it means to him every time he steps on the podium. For Norris, this season isn’t just about performance, it’s about legacy and taking that final step.
Oscar Piastri
Where Norris is refined, Piastri is clinical. The Australian has impressed the paddock with his calmness under pressure and calculated aggression. Rarely flustered, Piastri has a knack for seizing opportunities and often makes bold moves look effortless. Despite being only in his third full F1 season, he carries himself with the composure of a veteran.
Piastri tends to come alive in high-speed circuits and has already shown a strong ability to adapt mid-race. His race starts have been particularly strong in 2025, and he’s shown an uncanny ability to maintain pace on worn tyres – a crucial factor in modern F1.
Where it could be won or lost
With 14 races down, just 10 remain in the 2025 season. Two more in Europe, a couple in Asia, then a tour of North and South America before the final two rounds in the Middle East. But where will this title battle be won and lost? Here, we unpack both Norris and Piastri’s history at the circuits still to come at the end of this year
🇳🇱 Dutch Grand Prix – 29-31 August
Zandvoort has become a stronghold for Norris, who claimed a dominant win in 2024 after taking pole and controlling the race. His consistency here marks it as one of his best circuits.Piastri has shown promising pace in qualifying but is still chasing that breakthrough race result, struggling to fully convert speed into top finishes.
🇮🇹 Italian Grand Prix – 05-07 September
Monza has tested both drivers in different ways. Norris boasts impressive one-lap speed, including pole last year, but has often fallen short in converting that into wins, hindered by starts or strategy. Piastri, however, delivered one of his sharpest drives in 2024, overtaking Norris early and securing second place with calm racecraft under pressure.
🇦🇿 Azerbaijan Grand Prix – 19-21 September
Baku’s chaotic street circuit has been kind to Piastri, who claimed a breakthrough win in 2024 and showed remarkable composure. Norris has had mixed fortunes – strong in qualifying but plagued by safety car timing and strategy. Nevertheless, his 2025 Monaco win underlines his talent on tight street tracks, signalling strong potential at Baku.
🇸🇬 Singapore Grand Prix – 03-05 October
Norris will arrive in Singapore as the man to beat, having mastered the demanding street course with a commanding win last year. His experience and tyre management make him a clear favuorite. Piastri, still growing his form here, impressed with a podium last year and is eager to match Norris’s consistency as this race promises to be a pivotal chapter in their title battle.
🇺🇸 United States Grand Prix – 17-19 October
At COTA, precision is vital. Norris secured pole last year but couldn’t hold the lead, finishing fourth just ahead of Piastri in fifth. While Norris’s pace has been strong, his last race here underlined the challenge of mastering the full weekend. Piastri, newer to the track, showed adaptability recovering well from a tough Sprint Qualifying in 2024.
🇲🇽 Mexican Grand Prix – 24-26 October
Mexico City has delivered contrasting stories. Norris impressed with a composed drive in 2024, climbing through chaos to finish second and narrow the championship gap to Max Verstappen. Piastri struggled early, including a surprise Q1 exit, but battled back to eighth an effort reflecting his growing resilience. Heading into 2025, Norris’s experience at altitude will be crucial, while Piastri’s tenacity continues to sharpen.
🇧🇷 Brazilian Grand Prix – 07-09 November
Interlagos has been a mix of highs and frustration. Norris took pole in 2024 but slipped to sixth as conditions shifted, adding tension to his title chase. Piastri earned sprint pole and strong early pace, though Sunday’s race didn’t fully go his way. For 2025, Norris looks to settle unfinished business, while Piastri returns more confident and ready to convert promise into performance.
🇺🇸 Las Vegas Grand Prix – 20-22 November
Sin City has previously posed unique challenges to the McLaren duo. Norris arrived hopeful in 2024 but was hampered by low-grip, tricky conditions and McLaren’s lack of long-run pace, leaving him frustrated after qualifying sixth. Piastri has shown sparks here, setting fastest lap in 2023 and overcoming penalties in 2024 to finish seventh despite tyre issues. As the season nears its climax, Vegas is sure to be another thrilling test.
🇶🇦 Qatar Grand Prix – 28-30 November
Lusail has been a venue of contrasts for the Australian and British Papaya pairing. Piastri quickly made his mark with a sprint win in 2023 and a podium in 2024, showcasing his cool race instincts. Norris has demonstrated strong pace but has struggled to translate it into results, with errors and penalties costing valuable points. Looking ahead to 2025, Piastri’s momentum here contrasts with Norris’s aim to string together a clean weekend.
🇦🇪 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix – 05-07 December
Abu Dhabi has long been a dramatic stage for championship showdowns, and its history could well set the tone again this year. Norris holds an edge there, having dominated the 2024 finale, converting pole into a commanding victory while steering McLaren to their first Constructors’ title in 26 years. Piastri endured a turbulent run last time out and pun out in that same race after first‑corner contact with Verstappen and later handed a penalty. He did, however, ultimately claw his way back to 10th, underlining his grit even in the face of early setbacks.
🎟️ Be there for the high-stakes drama!
The 2025 season is shaping up to be one of the most thrilling in years, with Norris and Piastri locked in a battle that looks set to go right down to the wire.
Every corner, every pit stop, every lap could decide the champion. Be part of the atmosphere, the tension, and the roar of the crowd. Secure your tickets for your desired race here and witness the Lando Norris vs Oscar Piastri battle live!
