McLaren has received a clear verdict from Formula 1 fans on how it should manage Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri for the 2026 season.
Since Piastri joined McLaren for the 2023 campaign, CEO Zak Brown and team principal Andrea Stella have insisted that their drivers be treated as equals.
It was not until Piastri was mathematically out of title contention in 2024 that the Woking-based outfit began prioritising Norris in his unsuccessful pursuit of Max Verstappen.
This year, however, provided McLaren’s clearest indication of how it manages its drivers, with Piastri and Norris both in the title fight from the season opener in Australia.
While there were several clashes between the two, most notably in Canada, Singapore, and Austin, McLaren largely treated Norris and Piastri as equals.
At no point during the 2025 campaign was either driver designated as the number one, a policy that continued even at the title-deciding Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
However, with Norris having secured his maiden drivers' title, is a different approach now needed? According to a RacingNews365 poll, the answer is a clear no.
Of the F1 fans who voted, 67% believe McLaren should continue to treat its drivers as equals next season, while 26.2% think Piastri should be prioritised. Just 6.8% hold the view that Norris should be outlined as the team’s number one driver.
Check out the full poll results below!
How should McLaren manage its drivers in 2026?
| Option | % of vote |
|---|---|
| It should give Norris priority after winning the title | 6.8 |
| It should give Piastri priority to win his first title | 26.2 |
| It should continue treating both as equals | 67.0 |
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