McLaren handed Oscar Piastri-Lando Norris title warning: 'It's going to boil over'

Former F1 driver Derek Daly expects the relationship between Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris to “boil over” in the future.

The pair are currently involved in a battle for their first F1 titles following McLaren's rise to the head of the pecking order this year.

Piastri currently holds a narrow nine-point lead over Norris as the second half of the campaign fast approaches, with the Dutch Grand Prix this weekend signalling the end of the summer break.

There has been little to separate the competitive level between the pair this year, but the relationship has remained harmonious.

The partnership survived its first true test of hardship at the Canadian Grand Prix when they collided, but the situation was rapidly brushed aside when Norris immediately accepted blame.

Daly, however, does not see the peaceful team spirit continuing much longer.

“I doubt it, only because there's so much at stake,” Daly exclusively told RacingNews365. “There are life-changing implications at stake this season and in the seasons to come. 

“I have to believe human nature, with super competitive people, I have to believe that human nature eventually takes over.

“One of the drivers will begin to exert a toughness that we may not have seen yet.

“We've seen it so many times in partnerships in the past - Alan Jones and Carlos Reutemann, Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost, Nigel Mansell and Nelson Piquet.

“It's not a coincidence that these situations develop, and it's a slow development at McLaren. 

“I think it's a slower development because of Zak Brown's ability to manage personalities. 

“But I do think it's going to boil over.”

Critical Lando Norris 'mistakes' will aid Oscar Piastri title run

Norris and Piastri have both highlighted they expect the driver who makes the fewest mistakes, rather than the outright fastest competitor, will claim the title this year.

It's a scenario that Daly backed as the season ticks ever closer to its conclusion in the coming months.

“It's difficult to predict - however, F1 operates at such a level that you can't hide anything,” Daly added.

“If there is a physical or a mental weakness in a driver, it will be exposed in F1.

“You have to have physical gifts fully developed to be able to handle the car, but also you have to have sufficient mental capacity to read the races while you're in the race.

“[You have] to be mistake-free under enormous pressure, and to inadvertently add pressure to your competitors just by being who you are.

“That's the great thing about F1. The two drivers, Norris and Piastri, they're completely different, completely different drivers and personalities.

“Their differences are what will cause one to be world champion over the other.”

When asked for his pick for the title this year, Daly suggested Norris' minor errors could cost him in the long run.

“Right now, if I were to look at both drivers and pick one, I would pick the mistake-free weekends of Piastri over Norris,” he said. 

“I just think Norris still makes too many mistakes at critical times, and so until he proves that he will no longer do that, I have to side with Piastri.”