McLaren F1 legend wades in on Norris-Piastri 'problem'

mclaren, lando norris, oscar piastri, graphic — Photo: © IMAGO

Formula 1

McLaren legend wades in on Norris-Piastri 'problem'

Norris and Piastri are currently fighting for the F1 title

Originally written by Kevin McKenna. This version is a translation.

Wednesday 16 July 2025 22:00

F1 and McLaren legend Alain Prost has voiced his opinion on Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri's current battle for the drivers' title.

The Australian driver only has an eight point lead over Norris in the drivers' standings, as the pendulum once again swung back in the Brit's favour after Silverstone.

McLaren's two stars have, for the most part, been allowed to engage in 'Papaya Rules' throughout the campaign, giving both drivers license to race each other.

However, this approach has drawn criticism from some with a high-profile collision between the two at last month's Canadian Grand Prix cutting Norris' race short.

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Prost - who won three out of four of his world titles at McLaren in the 1980s - sees no issue with the current strategy in place.

“The championship, that is very difficult when two drivers are fighting for the title," reported Speedcafe.com.

“If it’s getting closer and one driver or team is much closer, then it’s going to become more difficult. At the moment, I don’t think they will have this problem.”

Alain Prost celebrated three world drivers' titles at McLaren

Prost praises Piastri

While the 70-year-old stopped short of predicting who he thought would come out on top, he did admit he held a soft spot for the Piastri having helped get the Australian into the Renault junior academy earlier in his career.

“I know Oscar much better because I was the one to push Renault to bring him into the academy a long time ago. They did not want to.” Prost revealed.

“I saw him driving in Formula 3 or even before, and then Formula 2. I like the way he behaves - a little bit like me, thinking about when to do the right manoeuvre for overtaking and being a little bit more clever. I like him.

“You never know what’s going to happen, but these types of drivers normally, they can make a progression."

NASCAR Lando Norris Oscar Piastri Silverstone Alain Prost