McLaren secured the Formula 1 constructors’ title for the second consecutive year after finishing third and fourth at the Singapore Grand Prix, with six races still remaining in the 2025 season. However, the triumph was overshadowed by a visible tension between teammates Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris, signaling growing internal friction as both drivers focus on their personal championship battle.
Signs of Team Strain Emerge Between McLaren Drivers
Oscar Piastri, known for his composed and steady driving style since joining McLaren in 2023, has been regarded as having an edge in the championship contest over his teammate Lando Norris, who is more self-critical. Throughout the season, the pair maintained a cooperative relationship, avoiding public disputes despite incidents like Norris’s retirement at the Canadian Grand Prix following a collision with Piastri.
At the Singapore Grand Prix, however, a notably tense moment unfolded at the race start. Piastri began third on the grid, just ahead of Norris. After Norris overtook Kimi Antonelli’s Mercedes on the grippier side of the track, he attempted to take the inside line for Turn 3 as the pack compressed behind race leader George Russell. During this maneuver, Norris made light contact with Max Verstappen’s Red Bull, forcing him to correct suddenly and collide with Piastri’s car. Fortunately, Piastri avoided crashing into the wall, but the incident drew a sharp reaction from the Australian driver via team radio.
Team Radio Reveals Piastri’s Frustration Over On-Track Contact
During the race, Piastri communicated with race engineer Tom Stallard, expressing clear dissatisfaction:
“So are we cool with Lando just barging me out the way or? What’s the go there?”
— Oscar Piastri
Stallard responded that the situation was under review:
“We are reviewing it.”
Piastri replied sharply:
“I mean that wasn’t very team-like, but sure.”
— Oscar Piastri
The engineer explained the circumstances:
“As a team, we see Lando had to avoid Verstappen, so we won’t take any action during the race. We can review further afterwards.”
Despite the justification, Piastri remained frustrated:
“Mate, that’s not fair, that’s not fair.”
Stallard urged focus on the race ahead:
“We’ll have the opportunity to review together afterwards. Focus on the race, mate.”
— Tom Stallard
Piastri continued to voice his concern about Norris’s racing line:
If he has to avoid another car by crashing into his teammate then that’s a pretty s**t job of avoiding.
— Oscar Piastri
Leadership Maintains Focus Amid Driver Tensions
McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown addressed the collision after the race, emphasizing the intensity of close racing situations:
“First corner, it looks like Max and Lando either touched or had to check up, so it was clearly an exciting Turn 2 incident. Tough racing but when you have three or four cars stacked up, that’s going to happen every once in a while. So we will look at it in more depth on Monday, but clearly just hard racing.”
— Zak Brown, McLaren Racing CEO
Meanwhile, team principal Andrea Stella affirmed the team’s commitment to allowing both drivers to race freely:
“The two drivers were already in condition to race and pursue their aspirations. So we will continue with this approach. Every race, we learn a little bit and fine tune but it is a matter of details.”
— Andrea Stella, Team Principal
Strategic Decisions Fuel Further Rivalry on Track
The pit stops during the Singapore Grand Prix intensified the competition between Norris and Piastri. Norris’s first stop, made from the race lead, granted him strategic advantage by allowing him to control the pace, though he could not overtake Verstappen’s Red Bull for second place. Piastri, pitting a lap later, experienced a slow stop that lasted 5.2 seconds, which affected his track position.
Later in the race, the team radio again revealed tension when Norris was reluctant to allow Piastri to pit first. This hesitation contrasted with the Italian Grand Prix, where Norris had conceded track position to avoid undercut risks from Charles Leclerc. The previous concession led to confusion due to a slow pit stop by Norris, forcing McLaren to swap their positions afterward to maintain fairness.
In Singapore, Norris maintained his strategic position despite the pending threat from Leclerc; Piastri’s stop was again slightly delayed but still prevented Leclerc from closing the gap. This marked a departure from earlier team dynamics, highlighting that both drivers now appear to prioritize their own title chances more assertively.
Implications for McLaren’s Future and 2026 Prospects
With the constructors’ championship secured far ahead of the season’s final races, McLaren’s drivers are increasingly competing for individual glory. This shift in priorities introduces complex dynamics within the team, demanding careful management to prevent long-term discord.
Looking forward, McLaren aims to maintain the momentum into the 2026 season, which will introduce new regulations and a fresh era for Formula 1. Preserving harmony between Norris and Piastri while encouraging their competitive spirits will be vital for sustaining McLaren’s recent success.
It's all in the eyes 👀#F1 #SingaporeGP pic.twitter.com/ThOIHZRtm5
— Formula 1 (@F1) October 5, 2025
LAP 27/62
It's a slow stop for Oscar Piastri, stopped for 5.2 seconds ⏱️
Norris pitted from the race lead the lap before, followed by Piastri a lap later! 🔧#F1 #SingaporeGP pic.twitter.com/tXQHC9LpfH
— Formula 1 (@F1) October 5, 2025
