Juan Pablo Montoya has suggested that McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown displays favoritism toward Lando Norris in the ongoing 2025 drivers‘ championship fight against Oscar Piastri. The tension within the Woking-based team has escalated as both drivers compete directly for the title, raising concerns about internal bias and team dynamics.
Montoya discussed the rivalry during an interview with Coinpoker, addressing the possible outcome for the driver who finishes behind in the championship. He stated:
“No, because they both have contracts. Whoever wins would create an awkward situation for a while, but they’ll get over it. But was Senna politically correct? Was Senna correct in the way he won races and championships? No. Was Prost fair? No. Was Lewis fair? No. Schumacher? No. Was Max? No.”
—Juan Pablo Montoya, Former McLaren Driver
Montoya also observed how Zak Brown’s public statements seem to favor Norris, implying that Brown views this as Norris’s time to shine, which leaves Piastri on the outside despite his strong performances. Norris has been with McLaren since 2017 through their driver development program, rising to a race seat in 2019. Piastri, in contrast, joined McLaren only recently after departing Alpine in 2023.
“What is interesting for me is that you hear Zak saying, ‘This is Lando’s era.’ It’s an interesting thing because you haven’t heard Zak saying, ‘This is Oscar’s era.’ He’s always said this is Lando’s era,”
—Juan Pablo Montoya, Former McLaren Driver
Further underlining this perceived bias, McLaren’s technical chief Neil Houldey revealed in July that updates made to the 2025 MCL39 car were tailored according to Norris’s feedback, as he provided more detailed debriefs compared to Piastri. This approach might influence the internal balance within the team during such a crucial championship battle.
Potential Risks of a Fierce Rivalry Between Norris and Piastri
Historically, McLaren has been no stranger to intense internal rivalries, which sometimes escalated beyond the racetrack. Past examples include Ayrton Senna versus Alain Prost and Lewis Hamilton against Fernando Alonso, where the battle for supremacy within the same team was both compelling and fraught with tension.
Now, the 2025 season threatens to reignite this familiar pattern with Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri locked in a close championship fight. While both drivers have shown professionalism throughout the 2024 and early 2025 seasons, the stakes are becoming higher, potentially increasing the risk of conflict as they push for the title.
A notable incident occurred at the Canadian Grand Prix when Norris collided with Piastri while attempting an overtake on a straight. Montoya warned of the dangers such clashes pose and emphasized the importance of clear disciplinary rules to maintain order.
“I think the rules need to be clear. The only way to prevent Armageddon there is to say if you hit your teammate on purpose, we’re going to make sure the other guy wins,”
—Juan Pablo Montoya, Former McLaren Driver
Current Championship Standings and Team Position
As of now, both Norris and Piastri have been consistently strong, finishing on the podium in 12 of 14 races this season. Oscar Piastri holds a 9-point lead over Lando Norris in the drivers‘ championship, standing at 284 points to Norris’s 275. McLaren, meanwhile, dominates the constructors‘ championship with a commanding 559 points, far ahead of their closest rival Ferrari, which has 260.
The Significance of McLaren’s Internal Dynamics for the 2025 Title Race
This intense rivalry highlights the delicate balance McLaren must maintain to secure championship success without allowing internal tensions to disrupt team harmony. Zak Brown’s apparent public favoritism toward Lando Norris, combined with strategic decisions seemingly aligned with Norris’s preferences, could create friction as the title race tightens. How the team manages this rivalry will be crucial for their continued dominance in both championships.
As the 2025 season progresses, clear rules and fair treatment of both drivers will likely be needed to avoid damaging fallout within the team, ensuring McLaren fully capitalizes on its strong car and driver lineup in a season that promises to reach peak intensity.
