Remember how Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen pushed each other to go beyond the limits and perform during the 2021 season? Well, looks like the McLaren drivers might’ve learned a thing or two from the rivalry. Lando Norris has already advised that Oscar Piastri pushes him to perform better. And now, Max Verstappen’s uncanny dominance is at risk, all thanks to the internal rivalry between Norris and Piastri. But how?

Lando Norris earlier in the season made comments about how his rookie teammate Oscar Piastri is already pushing him more than his previous teammates did. And that has been evident in the recent performance where rookie Piastri has beaten his future F1 Star teammate Norris. This internal rivalry seems to be having a positive effect on the drivers as neither one wants to back down.

As a result, both Norris and Piastri keep enhancing their game. In a recent podcast, it was explained how despite the fact that Piastri beat Norris in Qatar, the young Brit still felt that he had a better race pace and could’ve beaten his teammate. It was then advised how Norris is already one of the best out there and that Piastri is only going to get better. And this battle to come out on top will only get the McLaren drivers closer to Max Verstappen. 

According to the Unlapped podcast, the host said, “I think he [Lando Norris] still believes that his race pace is still quite superior to Piastri and there is quite a lot of back set up over recent races, hardly surprising considering how long Norris has been in F1 compared to Piastri. But, given the right car and ability to challenge at the front, Norris can definitely do it. And Piastri is only going to get stronger. He’s got that raw absolute talent. We’ve seen that in the last few races.”

He then explained how Piastri is already close to Norris’ level and that the title fight will be close next year as he added “And sure there are a few things that he can refine and get up to Norris’ level. But Norris’ level is incredibly high. So the fact that he’s beating him like he did in Qatar is something special in a rookie year. So yeah, I think there’s absolutely a challenge for next year and that’s very good news.”

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Also, unlike Red Bull, both of the Papaya drivers ask for very similar things from the car. McLaren has already spoken about its drivers having very similar feedback from the car which helped accelerate the development process. And that isn’t the only thing that Norris and Piastri united over. 

Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri unite to mock Lewis Hamilton and Co’s misery

The Mercedes collision at the Qatar GP is still fresh in our minds. And it was probably because of the Mercedes taking each other out that McLaren was able to secure a double podium. And while Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri might’ve had a different opinion during the race about their position and team orders, the two stood united to mock the Mercedes Crash.

It all started when Oscar Piastri first thanked Mercedes for taking each other out on Lap 1 and was then followed by a “Thank you Mercedes” comment in the cooldown room once the Australian realized that it was actually the two Mercedes who collided. Lando Norris didn’t hold back either and advised on how he actually thanked Mercedes inside his helmet and even said “Thank you” out loud while driving.

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Do you think McLaren will be challenging Red Bull and Max Verstappen next season?