Piastri and Lando rivalry makes McLaren stronger

The Hungaroring, Budapest.

- KIERAN JACKSON F1 CORRESPONDENT

Twelve months ago, as it became apparent that McLaren’s 2024 mid-season renaissance was more than just a temporary spike on the performance graph, this is where the first banging of heads occurred between the papaya drivers out on track. Two drivers desperate for victory, which made a quarrel, with neither defined as team No 1. Quite the inevitability.

Eventually, Oscar Piastri claimed his first F1 race victory and almost looked embarrassed to celebrate. It only came after Lando Norris reluctantly conceded the lead, as his engineer Will Joseph pleaded with the Brit to follow team orders.

"I know you'll do the right thing," Joseph told his driver. "Just remember every single Sunday morning meeting we have... I'm trying to protect you, mate... please do it now." Eventually, the series of orders - teetering on the edge of successive guilt trips - triggered the most reluctant of acquiesces from Norris.

Now, in a championship battle solely between this exciting high-flying McLaren pairing, F1 returns to Hungary for the final race before the summer break. After Norris claimed two much-needed victories in Austria and Silverstone, Piastri wrestled back some of that momentum with a lightning quick overtake over his teammate at Spa last time out, which set up a supreme victory.