McLaren boss says its inevitable Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris will clash as Aussie eyes history

Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris are teammates – but also fierce rivals. And their boss believes it’s only a matter of time before there are fireworks on the track between the F1-leading McLaren duo.

McLaren chief Zak Brown has warned it is “inevitable” his championship challengers Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris will clash on track at some stage as the Aussie title leader aims to join a pair of his country’s greats with a hat trick of Grand Prix wins.

After his back-to-back victories in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia to move to the top of the driver standings, Piastri can join former world champions Alan Jones and Sir Jack Brabham as the only Australians to win three Formula 1 races in a row.

Piastri takes a 10-point lead over his second-placed teammate Norris into this week’s Miami Grand Prix where the Brit achieved his first Formula 1 victory last year.

The Australian star has made a hot start to his 2025 campaign winning three of the first five Grand Prix to Norris’ one.

Lando Norris congratulates teammate, and Bahrain Grand Prix winner, Oscar Piastri. Picture: Getty

As the Piastri and Norris’ championship bid heats up, Brown said it was only a matter of time before his two star drivers came together on the track.

Under the team’s papaya rules, the pair are free to race – but directed to keep it clean.

“I think it’s definitely a matter of when, rather than if (they clash on track),” Brown said as per Sky Sports F1.

“You have two racing drivers, whether in the same team or different team, that are next to each other for 24 races, someone’s going to lock a brake.

“So I’m kind of looking forward to getting it over with because I don’t think it’s going to be anywhere near as exciting as everybody thinks.

“I think it will be a racing incident when that day comes. I think it’s inevitable.

“They’re two great characters. Neither of them are hotheads, so we’re not worried about it, and to a certain extent, kind of looking forward to just getting it out of the way.”

Oscar Piastri, McLaren team principal Andrea Stella and Lando Norris. Picture: Getty

Piastri has taken his Grand Prix win tally to five after his wins in China, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia this year, but Miami is the only track where the Melbourne racer has not finished inside the top 10.

His best at the Miami International Autodrome was 13th last year

“I’m excited to be getting back to business this weekend in Miami and will be aiming to execute another strong all-round weekend before we head into the European swing of the season,” Piastri said.

“I love the city, the atmosphere and the people and it’s a track that I’m feeling very positive about. It’s also a sprint weekend so there will be plenty of opportunities to keep the current momentum and energy building.”

McLaren team principal Andrea Stella said the Miami race last year had been a turning point for the team as it powered ahead to take the constructors’ championship.

“This is a special race for us as it’s where Lando took his first F1 race win, which was a key turning point in our journey to becoming world champions last year,” Stella said.

“This year, the level of competition is potentially even greater than last season, so we go to Miami focused on maintaining momentum and consolidating our progress.”

Originally published as McLaren boss says its inevitable Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris will clash as Aussie eyes history