Former Williams driver Juan Pablo Montoya has issued a strong warning to Lando Norris, cautioning that his McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri could “destroy him” in 2025 if he lets his guard down. Although Norris had the upper hand in their intra-team battle last season, both drivers are expected to make improvements in the coming year.
The 2024 Formula 1 season marked a significant breakthrough for both McLaren drivers. Norris showcased impressive raw speed in both qualifying and race conditions, making him a genuine challenger to Max Verstappen in the battle for the Drivers’ Championship.
Meanwhile, Piastri also celebrated key milestones, securing his first two Grand Prix victories. The Australian followed up his maiden triumph in Hungary with a commanding defensive drive to hold off Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc in Azerbaijan.
Despite these successes, the 23-year-old faced frustrations, ending the season without a single pole position and being out-qualified by Norris in 21 out of 24 races. Additionally, he struggled to consistently match the Brit’s race pace.
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However, many in the paddock believe Piastri is poised for a significant leap forward in 2025, potentially disrupting Norris’ championship ambitions. If the young Australian can improve his qualifying performances and challenge Norris more frequently, the dynamic at McLaren could shift dramatically.
“Lando Norris has the best opportunity if McLaren continues to make the best car, but he cannot relax this season,” Montoya said in an interview with CasinoApps.
Montoya emphasized the importance of mental resilience in a high-stakes environment like Formula 1.
“If Norris relaxes and Oscar Piastri gets better, it can destroy Norris. Piastri needs to out-qualify Norris a few times to boost his confidence. Norris has better race pace than Piastri, so if he can outperform Norris in qualifying and make the strategy of winning the race in his favour, it could get into Norris’ head and force him to make mistakes.”
McLaren has been steadily climbing the competitive ladder, and with continued development, the team could once again find itself battling at the sharp end of the grid in 2025. This progress presents both an opportunity and a challenge for Norris, who must maintain his edge against a determined and fast-improving teammate.
With Verstappen’s dominance in 2024 still fresh in the minds of many, McLaren is expected to be one of the key teams challenging Red Bull in the upcoming season. While Norris remains the de facto team leader, Piastri’s continued development could put him in contention for more wins and potentially upset the balance within the team.
As pre-season preparations ramp up, all eyes will be on the McLaren duo to see how their rivalry unfolds. If Norris is to stake a serious claim for the championship, he cannot afford to underestimate his teammate. Piastri, on the other hand, will be eager to prove that he is not just a strong prospect but a genuine title contender in his own right.