McLaren left Singapore smiling after securing the Constructors’ Championship, yet the atmosphere within the team remains tense looking ahead to the final races of the season. With six rounds remaining, nothing seems capable of stopping Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri from battling each other in what has become an intense internal rivalry. The tension between the two drivers was already evident at the start of the Singapore Grand Prix. Norris was forced to avoid Max Verstappen ahead of him, lost control of his MCL39, and narrowly missed putting his teammate into the wall. Although it was classified as a normal racing incident, Piastri did not appreciate the maneuver and was visibly frustrated for the rest of the race.
What particularly upset the Australian was McLaren’s silence during the episode. The team has often emphasized its so-called “Papaya rules” — internal guidelines meant to prevent escalation between teammates — yet on this occasion, the pit wall chose not to intervene. There may not have been a need for team orders, since Norris came away with a damaged front-wing endplate, but the lack of communication highlighted how accustomed the two drivers have become to relying on “parental” supervision to resolve on-track disputes that, under normal circumstances, should be settled purely through racing.
Managing two competitive drivers has never been McLaren’s strongest suit. The Woking-based team has struggled with this dynamic since the legendary days of Alain Prost and Ayrton Senna. And there’s perhaps no one who understands this better than Lewis Hamilton, who personally experienced the fierce internal rivalry with Fernando Alonso during his rookie season in 2007. Having lived through that storm, Hamilton decided to give Piastri a very clear piece of advice: “Never give up your position.”
Those few words carried a strong message — and they were exactly what Oscar Piastri needed to hear. The young Australian, known for his composure and intelligence both on and off the track, acknowledged the advice during the media day when speaking to journalist Juliane Cerasoli. His response was brief but telling: “He’s been in this position several times. I accept the advice.” Simple, concise, yet filled with meaning — a sign that sparks could soon fly between the two McLaren teammates.
Lewis Hamilton’s comment carries significant weight in this context. His own debut season at McLaren remains one of the most turbulent in Formula 1 history, marked by a bitter rivalry with Alonso that ultimately cost the team both the Drivers’ and Constructors’ Championships in 2007. It’s no surprise, then, that Lewis Hamilton sees parallels in McLaren’s current situation, with two young drivers — both talented, ambitious, and unwilling to yield — pushing the limits within the same team.
Oscar Piastri’s reaction suggests that the Australian intends to assert himself more decisively in the coming races. His calm demeanor often masks a fierce competitive streak, and Hamilton’s words might have been the final spark he needed. Lando Norris, meanwhile, has made it clear throughout the season that he will not back down easily either. The intra-team battle, which has already produced several tense radio exchanges, could soon turn into a real power struggle for supremacy inside McLaren.
The British team finds itself in an enviable yet delicate position. On one hand, it has built the most dominant car of the 2025 season, capable of outpacing both Red Bull and Ferrari. On the other, the internal rivalry between Norris and Piastri risks becoming a major distraction at a crucial moment. “Papaya rules” were designed precisely to prevent this — a code meant to preserve harmony and avoid dangerous incidents between teammates — but as Hamilton’s advice shows, Formula 1 is not a place for compromise when championships are at stake.
Hamilton’s words may also reflect a deeper truth about racing at the highest level: the balance between teamwork and personal ambition is fragile. Every great driver, from Senna to Schumacher, has faced the same dilemma. For Piastri, this could be the moment that defines his character and future within Formula 1. Accepting Hamilton’s advice means embracing a more aggressive, uncompromising approach — one that might earn him victories, but also potentially ignite conflict within the garage.
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