Piastri Instructed to Start Strong Amidst New Norris Battle

McLaren intends to maintain equal driver status for Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri in the 2026 season, but former strategist Bernie Collins suggests Piastri's early-season results will be critical. With Norris entering as the reigning champion, Piastri faces pressure to start strong to ensure the team's strategy doesn't subtly shift in his teammate's favor, potentially dictating the team's title defense approach.

Why it matters:

The dynamic between two top-tier drivers at a single team is a delicate balancing act that can make or break a championship campaign. How McLaren manages Norris and Piastri after a tight 2025 title fight will be a defining factor in their 2026 success, potentially impacting everything from upgrade allocation to race strategy and overall team morale.

The details:

• According to Collins, while McLaren will try to treat both drivers equally, Norris's status as champion with the #1 on his car "is going to mean something."
• Piastri's Mission: He has been told he "needs to really get his marker down" in the opening races.
  • This means beating Norris in qualifying and consistently scoring points to make it "unreasonable to favour the other driver."
• The Upgrade Factor: A common team tactic could be implemented if one driver pulls ahead in the standings.
  • The driver leading the championship often receives priority on new parts if only one set is initially available, a practice Collins says was common at Aston Martin and other teams.

What's next:

The opening rounds of the 2026 season will be pivotal for establishing the pecking order at McLaren. Both drivers, knowing they have "a lot to prove," will enter with immense pressure, making their on-track battles and early-season performance a central storyline to watch as the team aims to defend its constructors' and drivers' titles.