McLaren hierarchy, Piastri: “I expect to be treated fairly, as I was in 2025”

Internal duel What will the relationship between Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri be like in 2026? This is what professionals but also simple Formula 1 fans are asking themselves after the two competed for the World title until the last race – together with Max Verstappen – until the last race. The much talked about papaya rules, imposed by the team to try to manage the internal duel as fairly as possible, worked relatively well, probably creating more confusion than clarity. Despite this, however, the personal relationship between Norris and Piastri has always remained rather good, with the two having been able to separate some understandable tensions on the track from their off-circuit relationship. Respect and fairness The watchword seems to be once again “fairness”: “I think I had a fair chance last year and I expect the situation to remain exactly the same – concluded Piastri – this certainly does not mean that some things could not have been done better, but as far as I am concerned I have never had bad intentions nor have I ever questioned the intentions of others. I could have handled the situation differently, but this is part of elite sport and Formula 1. It is not possible to always make all the right decisions. You can’t make everyone happy and that’s part of the unique nature of F1 as it’s a team sport with individual recognition at the end I think we had a fair chance last year and we’re working on how to improve things and make sure we get stronger.”