Oscar Piastri has played down the rivalry with his McLaren teammate Lando Norris, saying he’s not intimidated by the reigning champion. Piastri, who finished third in the 2025 Drivers’ Championship, 11 points behind Norris, expects a healthy competition with his teammate in the 2026 season. “I expect that we will both be allowed to race hard and fairly and do our very best, both on a personal level and team level,” Piastri said, adding that he’s focused on becoming world champion himself.
Piastri’s comments come as McLaren gears up for the 2026 season with new regulations and a new car. The Australian driver is optimistic about the team’s chances, citing their ability to adapt quickly to new rules. “We proved to ourselves during the last ruleset that even if we start on the back foot, we can turn things around incredibly quickly,” Piastri said.
