Piastri Reflects on 'Uncomfortable' McLaren Equality After Losing Title

Oscar Piastri has admitted that McLaren's strict commitment to driver equality created "uncomfortable" moments throughout the 2025 season, a policy that ultimately contributed to him losing the world championship to teammate Lando Norris and Max Verstappen. Despite leading the standings by a significant margin mid-season, the team's refusal to prioritize one driver allowed its rivals back into the fight.

Why it matters:

McLaren's unwavering 'papaya rules' present a rare philosophical stance in modern F1, valuing team integrity and fair competition over optimizing a single driver's title bid. This season-long experiment tested whether a team could win both championships without resorting to traditional team orders, a gamble that nearly cost them the drivers' title entirely and has sparked debate about the balance between fairness and pragmatism at the highest level.

The details:

• Piastri held a 34-point lead after 15 races, but the team maintained its equal treatment, most notably at the Italian GP where he was asked to cede position to Norris after a slow pit stop to restore the race's earlier status quo.
• Team CEO Zak Brown had stated in May he was "prepared to lose the world championship" rather than quash one driver's chances, a principle the team largely adhered to throughout the year.
• Other key moments included not swapping cars in Japan to attack Verstappen and not manipulating Norris's race in Britain to offset a penalty given to Piastri, reinforcing the team's hands-off approach during on-track battles.
• Following the pivotal team order in Monza, Piastri's form dipped, with crashes in Baku and Brazil, a difficult weekend in Mexico, and a strategic error in Qatar eroding his points advantage.
• Despite external noise and conspiracy theories, McLaren maintained a united front, securing the Constructors' Championship in Singapore while its drivers fought Verstappen.

The big picture:

McLaren's dominance in the first half of the season was undermined by Red Bull's mid-year resurgence with the RB22, exposing the risk of their egalitarian approach. By not consolidating behind a single contender, they left the door open for Verstappen to nearly steal a fifth consecutive title, finishing just two points behind Norris. The season became a case study on whether ultimate success in F1 requires a clear number-one driver, especially when facing a relentless competitor like Verstappen.

What's next:

Piastri indicates the team will review the season and discuss potential adjustments for 2026, but the core philosophy appears set to continue. Both drivers acknowledge the tension made them better, and Piastri concludes that being given a fair chance to fight is "all you can ask for." The challenge for McLaren will be refining their approach to convert their clear car performance into a drivers' title without abandoning the principles that strengthened their team dynamic.