Verstappen handed clear message by McLaren over Lawson easy ride

Oscar Piastri feels the easy ride Max Verstappen has had over the years with his team-mates carries fewer advantages compared to the Australian's intra-team battle with Lando Norris.

McLaren team principal Andrea Stella has made clear that for Piastri and Norris there is a clean slate when it comes to their title aspirations this season, with both drivers convinced they can become world champion.

At Red Bull, the team has long prioritised Verstappen, no matter the calibre of team-mate, be it Pierre Gasly, Alex Albon, and for the last four seasons, Sergio Perez, prior to the Mexican's release at the end of last year.

For the coming campaign, Verstappen will be partnered by Liam Lawson, the New Zealander competing in his first full season after cameo stints in 2023 and 2024 totalling 11 grands prix.

Piastri feels, however, that for the development of both himself and Norris, they have been pushing each other to extremes since his arrival two years ago, which can be indirectly measured on the stopwatch. 

"It is, obviously, a different dynamic," said Piastri, speaking to select media, including RacingNews365, when asked about the benefits of his relationship with Norris compared to that of Verstappen and his team-mates.

"I think Liam will do a good job, so I don't think it will be...obviously, Max is established, and we know how strong Max is.

"But I think there are advantages that come with having a strong team-mate, in terms of learning from one another. That is a very big help for both of us in trying to become faster.

"You obviously can't measure the gain that each of us has had from having a strong team-mate, but I think there is a genuine lap-time gain for both of us learning from each other.

"Yes, that has a downside in some situations as well, but, in my opinion, it outweighs that.

Lawson to spring a surprise?

Piastri has no doubt Lawson will not be a pushover for Verstappen.

Lawson thrust himself into the spotlight with a five-race stint with AlphaTauri in 2023 in deputising for an injured Daniel Ricciardo, and followed that with six grands prix at the end of last year for RB after the Australian was axed.

Although Piastri recognises he and Norris could take points off one another, as opposed to Verstappen prioritised at Red Bull and able to maximise points, he feels Lawson will prove himself against the Dutchman.

"Naturally, if you're going to become world champion, you're going to be worthy, no matter who your team-mate is," said Piastri.

"Potentially, in terms of not taking points off each other, that is a bit easier for Max, but you never know, Liam could come out and surprise us all. I know how strong Liam is, I've raced against him for a number of years.

"But there are disadvantages and advantages, no matter what the situation is in that scenario."