Berger Warns of Potential Piastri-Norris Collision in Title Fight

Former F1 driver Gerhard Berger fears that McLaren teammates Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, locked in a fierce title battle, could collide in the season's final stretch. Berger emphasized that both drivers are pushing to their absolute limits, placing the burden on the team to prevent an on-track incident.

Why it matters:

McLaren's unexpected surge into championship contention has intensified intra-team rivalry. A collision between their two star drivers would be a devastating blow to the team's championship aspirations and could have significant long-term implications for team dynamics and driver relationships. This scenario echoes past F1 rivalries where teammates vying for the title ultimately took each other out.

The Details:

• Berger's Concerns: Speaking to Sport.de, Gerhard Berger, a former F1 driver, explicitly stated, "Both drivers will go all out, and the team has to hope they don't collide" due to their direct competition for the world championship.
• Norris as Favorite: Berger backs Lando Norris as the favorite, asserting, "If he doesn't make any big mistakes and luck is on his side, he'll do it." This indicates a belief in Norris's current form and maturity.
• Piastri's Potential: Despite favoring Norris, Berger cautioned against underestimating Piastri. He acknowledged Piastri's recent dip in form and noted it was likely due to a lack of experience, but believes "that slump may now be over."
  • Berger views Max Verstappen as having only "outsider chances" in the title fight, primarily if both McLarens were to retire, underscoring the dominant position of the McLaren drivers.
• Las Vegas Performance: Norris showcased McLaren's strong form by topping the opening day of practice in Las Vegas, a circuit not typically suited for their car. He expressed feeling "much more comfortable in the car compared to last year," despite the session being red-flagged.

What's next:

The remaining races of the season will be a true test of McLaren's team management and the drivers' discipline. The team will need to carefully balance their drivers' competitive instincts with the imperative to secure both championships. How McLaren handles this escalating rivalry could define their season and set the tone for future collaborations between Norris and Piastri. A misstep could unravel their impressive progress.