McLaren team mates Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri say they have been given clear instructions on how they may fight each other on-track.
The pair have locked out the front row of the grid for the season-opening race in Melbourne. Norris narrowly beat his team mate to pole position for his home race.
McLaren’s management of its drivers was called into question several times last year. At Monza, the pair claimed the front row of the grid, but Charles Leclerc passed Norris after he lost time fighting with Piastri on the first lap. Leclerc went on to win.
Norris said the team has given the drivers clear instructions on how hard they may fight each other.
“There have obviously been discussions, we’re prepared because we know we’re going to have more of this kind of thing over the season,” he said.
“There are clearly rules we cannot cross. Both cars must always stay in the race, but we’re both competitors. That’s clear. We both want to fight for victories.
“But there are boundaries around the car – just a little more space here and there. We’re free to race, free to try and win races.”
| Become a RaceFans supporter and
McLaren won the constructors’ championship last year but Norris fell short in his attempts to beat Max Verstappen to the drivers’ title. Norris acknowledged both drivers will be keen to seize the initiative in the championship at the first opportunity.
“What won us the constructors’ last year was how we helped one another and how we kept things clean,” he said. “How there was order when there needed to be.
“A lot of that was later in the season when external things were happening. Right now, there’s none of that. So we’re both excited. Of course, we’ll have our morning talks, but that’s normal.”
Piastri echoed Norris’s view that the pair are “free to race each other” tomorrow.
“I want to win as much as Lando does. He summed it up well. I think in any team, not just McLaren, the number one rule is ‘no contact’. We must give each other space.
“If there are opportunities for either of us to take advantage of situations, we will. But ultimately, we are racing for the team. That’s important.
| Become a RaceFans supporter and
“We’ve said many times that the teamwork we showed last year helped us win the constructors’. It’s important to recognise that fact. The car has been strong for a while, but also the team is very strong too. That’s as good as I can put it.”
Miss nothing from RaceFans
Get a daily email with all our latest stories – and nothing else. No marketing, no ads. Sign up here:
2025 Australian Grand Prix
Browse all 2025 Australian Grand Prix articles
