The Formula 1 world is buzzing with speculation: Is McLaren favoring Lando Norris over Oscar Piastri in their championship battle, and is Norris's British nationality a factor? Whispers of preferential treatment have grown louder as the season progresses, prompting scrutiny from former champions and F1 figures.
The allegations stem from several observations. Some point to the Singapore Grand Prix, where Norris made an aggressive move on Piastri, resulting in contact. Piastri's request for a position swap was denied, fueling the perception of unequal treatment. Adding fuel to the fire, 1978 F1 Champion Mario Andretti publicly stated that McLaren seems to favor Norris for some reason.
Adding to the debate, former F1 chief executive Bernie Ecclestone suggested that McLaren strategically hindered Piastri's performance in the latter half of the season, despite Piastri initially being faster than Norris. Ecclestone stated McLaren favors Norris. This alleged favoritism, according to Ecclestone, involves operational decisions that disadvantage Piastri.
However, these claims are met with strong rebuttals from within the F1 community. Former Williams executive Claire Williams stated that McLaren will always have the best intentions for both drivers. Sky Sports F1's Ted Kravitz stated he sees no evidence to suggest that McLaren are favouring Norris. 1980 F1 champion Alan Jones has dismissed claims of favoritism as "absolute nonsense". Jones argues that such claims are common in F1, with drivers often alleging preferential treatment for their teammates. He points out that drivers often claim their counterparts enjoy advantages.
McLaren itself has consistently denied any favoritism. Both Norris and Piastri have publicly supported this stance. The team insists that both drivers receive equal treatment and that all decisions are based on strategy, not favoritism. McLaren CEO Zak Brown has also refuted the existence of any "Papaya Rules" that would disadvantage one driver over the other.
Adding another layer to the narrative, 1997 F1 champion Jacques Villeneuve has weighed in on the situation, criticizing McLaren's handling of the drivers. Villeneuve has criticized Piastri for complaining about the lack of action taken by the team. He argued McLaren was hindering Norris's championship charge last season. Villeneuve believes McLaren needs a coherent strategy and risks facilitating a situation where the pair "chop points from each other". Villeneuve also said that McLaren was punishing Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri 'like kids'.
Despite the contrasting opinions, the reality is that both Norris and Piastri are strong contenders for the championship. As of November 2025, Norris leads Piastri in the championship standings by 24 points.
Norris has been with McLaren since 2017, joining as a junior driver and making his F1 debut with the team in 2019. He recently signed an "extended multi-year" contract, demonstrating his long-term commitment to the team. Piastri's contract extension, announced in September 2023, ensures that the McLaren lineup remains unchanged for at least the next three seasons. Norris's current contract is reportedly worth $100 million over four years.
Ultimately, whether McLaren favors Norris due to his nationality or for other reasons remains a subject of debate. Accusations of McLaren favoring Norris over Piastri continue to circulate on social media. The team's actions and the drivers' performances in the remaining races will be crucial in dispelling or confirming these suspicions.
