McLaren‘s decision to let Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri race each other freely during the Hungarian Grand Prix highlights the team’s bold approach to the Formula 1 title fight. By giving both drivers the liberty to choose their own strategies, McLaren is embracing risk in their pursuit of championship success.

In Hungary, after a slow start, Norris pursued an audacious one-stop strategy that ultimately won the race, reversing the outcome from the previous week at Spa where his choice of harder tyres backfired. This freedom to innovate strategically reflects McLaren’s willingness to prioritize victory over a safe, controlled race outcome.

McLaren’s Open Strategy Encourages Drivers to Compete Unrestrained

McLaren is clear in its message to both drivers: select the strategy that maximizes your chance of winning, regardless of whether it guarantees a 1-2 finish. This approach, which carries inherent risks, may sometimes lead to lost results, but the team is prepared to accept those consequences to foster genuine competition between Norris and Piastri.

This aggressive stance recalls McLaren’s 2007 season when title rivals Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton clashed fiercely, allowing Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen to capitalize and secure the championship. Despite that cautionary history, McLaren believes their current driver pairing is capable of handling this freedom without jeopardizing their season.

Some observers suggest McLaren’s car superiority—a consistent contender for second-best on the grid—gives the team the luxury to allow internal battles. Driver freedom is both a reflection of their performance advantage and a calculated risk aimed at driving the team forward.

“We know the risk of not throwing our weight behind one driver, but we will give Oscar and Lando equal opportunity to fight it out on track to win the drivers’ world championship,”

said Zak Brown.

“That’s exciting for us, and for the sport.”

—Zak Brown, McLaren CEO

This strategy is not merely for public relations or to add excitement to the races. Internally, McLaren views having two equal number one drivers as essential to maintaining morale and motivation. Neither Norris nor Piastri should feel sidelined, preserving harmony as both push toward their maiden world championships.

“We believe the benefits of racing this way far outweigh the consequences – despite the fact we know incidents can happen,”

Brown added.

Team principal Andrea Stella echoed the sentiment, acknowledging the approach complicates management but emphasizes driver expression.

“We are also racing in a certain way, which is open and gives our drivers the opportunity to express their talents, their aspirations, their quality, their constant development,”

Stella explained.

“That’s what we are here for, and we are very privileged to be in this position. Not only with the team we have, but with Oscar and Lando, who are two great drivers, but above all, two great individuals.”

—Andrea Stella, McLaren Team Principal

McLaren Aware of Dangers but Confident in Its Drivers’ Maturity

For this strategy to succeed, having two drivers who respect the team dynamic is crucial. Norris and Piastri have so far demonstrated the discipline needed to avoid destructive internal conflict. Early tension, such as Norris being asked to yield to Piastri in last year’s Hungary race after an early pit stop and the clarified “papaya rules” following Piastri’s risky move at Monza’s Turn 3, illustrate how McLaren has learned to manage competitive instincts.

Apart from a notable mistake by Norris in Canada that caused a minor accident, both drivers have proven trustworthy, reducing the need for strict team orders. Brown believes this maturity prevents a recurrence of the 2007 turmoil and fosters healthy rivalry.

“When it comes to fighting for a world title between team-mates, everyone has a different perspective – and some people can be critical – so it’s important for me to clarify a few things. Firstly, I’ve said it before, but I truly believe we have the best driver line-up in Formula 1, and I wouldn’t trade it for any other,”

Brown stated.

“Secondly, when you have two drivers going head to head for the world championship, there’s naturally a lot of excitement – and we share that excitement. There’s nothing we like more than watching these guys battle it out. So may the best man win.”

—Zak Brown

With just ten races remaining and a narrow nine-point gap separating Norris and Piastri, the real challenge for McLaren lies ahead. How the team manages the pressure and internal competition as the title fight intensifies will define its culture and season success.

Brown remains optimistic, citing Norris’s accountability for the Montreal incident as a positive sign that future disputes can be controlled without fracturing team unity.

“I’m not naive,”

Brown admitted.

The adrenaline and pressure will grow, but the McLaren leadership is committed to managing these moments professionally to maintain harmony.

“Of course, we recognise that incidents have happened and will happen again. It’s all about how well you’re prepared for those moments and how you deal with them. I think Montreal was a shining example of how well everyone handled the situation.”

—Zak Brown