Martin Brundle Dissects McLaren's 'Subconscious' Norris Bias

Martin Brundle has weighed in on the 2025 season's biggest talking point, suggesting that while McLaren didn't deliberately favor Lando Norris over Oscar Piastri, a "subconscious" bias may have existed. He theorizes this stems from Norris's unwavering loyalty to the team during its difficult years, earning him "some currency" within the organization. Despite the perception of bias, McLaren's strategy ultimately secured both the Drivers' and Constructors' championships in a dominant fashion.

Why it matters:

The debate over driver equality is central to F1 team dynamics, especially with two title contenders in the same garage. Brundle's theory provides a plausible explanation for controversial moments like the Monza team orders without accusing McLaren of malicious intent. It underscores how a driver's long-term commitment can subtly influence team culture and decision-making, even when a team strives for clinical fairness.

The details:

• Brundle's "Currency" Theory: Brundle highlighted Norris's decision to stay with McLaren "when they were last and nowhere," suggesting this faith earned him intangible favor. He stated, "I think he’s got some currency from that."
• Fairness vs. Execution: Brundle acknowledged McLaren tried to be "super, super fair" but "tripped over themselves" at times while managing "two bulls in one field." He noted that the team's massive Constructors' Championship lead proved something was working.
• The Perception Problem: Sky F1 colleague Nico Rosberg agreed, noting McLaren "really tries to treat their drivers absolutely equally" but "just didn’t get it quite right at times," which fueled external criticism and created a bad perception.
• Official Stance: Team CEO Zak Brown reinforced the official policy, stating the key to happiness is treating drivers "equally, fairly" with "great communications," even on days when they are unhappy with on-track events.

Looking Ahead:

McLaren's dominant 2025 season proves their strategy of managing two alpha drivers was ultimately successful, silencing critics with a double championship victory. The challenge for 2026 and beyond will be to refine their processes to minimize the perception of bias. As long as Norris and Piastri remain at the front, the team will have to navigate the fine line between fierce internal competition and maintaining a harmonious, championship-winning environment.