McLaren Accused of Bald-Faced Favoritism In Lando Norris Vs. Oscar Piastri Showdown

Just as McLaren seemed to be basking in its best Formula 1 season in years, fresh controversy has clouded the team’s image. A former F1 chief executive has accused the British outfit of favoring Lando Norris over his teammate Oscar Piastri, igniting debate over whether McLaren’s internal dynamics are as harmonious as they appear on the surface.

McLaren Accused of Playing Favorites Between Its Star Drivers

According to former top F1 executive Bernie Ecclestone, Piastri was “clearly faster” than Norris in the early part of the season, consistently outperforming his teammate in qualifying and race pace.

However, in the latter half, McLaren allegedly began “slowing down the Australian using various methods,” which Ecclestone implied were strategic and operational decisions that hindered Piastri’s ability to compete fairly.

In an exclusive interview with RTL/ntv and sport.de, the 95-year-old Ecclestone didn’t mince words.

“Yes, that’s how it looks. McLaren favors Norris in the second half of the season. McLaren prefers the English driver Norris. He has more star power and marketing qualities for them, more camera presence, and public exposure. That’s why it’s probably better for McLaren,” he said.

The 95-year-old’s claim suggests a deeper, image-driven motivation behind the team’s race strategy. Norris, one of Formula 1’s most popular drivers with a massive global following, has long been the face of the brand’s resurgence. His humor, social media presence, and fan engagement give McLaren a youthful, relatable image.

In contrast, Piastri, while quietly efficient and remarkably composed for his age, maintains a more understated public profile.

“You can tell Piastri is upset and tired of them,” Ecclestone said. “The discussions about them are getting on his nerves. The pressure is constantly increasing, and Piastri is frustrated that he can no longer win races so easily and that Norris is clearly being favored within the team.”

The billionaire’s remarks come at a crucial point in the 2025 Formula 1 World Championship, where both Norris and Piastri remain genuine title contenders, separated by only a point. While the duo has publicly maintained a cordial working relationship, small moments of tension, such as disputed pit priority and differing tyre calls, have fueled speculation about growing friction inside McLaren’s garage.

So far, the team has emphasized that both drivers receive equal treatment and that all calls depend on strategy, not favoritism. Regardless of whether there is any truth to the speculation, the timing of these accusations could not be more disruptive.

McLaren is currently embroiled in a tight championship battle with Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, looking to close the gap at the upcoming Brazil GP. The last thing the “Papaya”-colored team needs is internal distractions.