McLaren spy 'opportunity' in Piastri-Norris 'complications'

McLaren boss Andrea Stella believes the intra-team "complications" between Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris could create an "opportunity."

The duo combined for six grand prix wins in 2024 to land McLaren its first constructors' title since 1998 - and indeed in the lifetime of either driver.

However, whilst Piastri faded away towards the end of the season against Norris, the two did have some flashpoints on track, most notably when Norris undercut leader Piastri in Hungary, leading to negotiations with the team to let Piastri back through. 

Later at the Italian GP, despite the adoption of "papaya rules", P2 starter Piastri overtook pole-sitter Norris on lap 1 on a day title rival Max Verstappen was floundering. 

Despite the perceived battles between the pair, team principal Stella believes having two drivers fighting for wins should be expected given the performance of the car. 

"We do want to have that kind of problem, and we worked very hard to have the problem of having a car in a condition to win races, and two drivers in condition to win races," he told media including RacingNews365.

"We know that this, in Formula 1, always comes with some complications, but those are complications we have already faced [in 2024]. 

"We have always approached it in a cohesive way, both drivers were always fully aware that we need to find solutions that first of all, puts the interests of the team first and then the interest of the drivers.

"So far, this has been a very positive process, it is a process which we plan to carry over into next season, but before we think about this problem, it is potentially more of an opportunity.

"Our focus is to make sure that from a technical point of view, we give Lando and Oscar a car that is in the condition to fight for the championship."