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Victor Petkov
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Hakkinen thinks Zak Brown is doing ‘good job’ managing Norris and Piastri
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The battle for the title is going into its final chapter and McLaren team boss will need to manage the situation

McLaren’s handling of the 2025 Formula 1 title fight between Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri has become one of the most debated storylines of the season. After entering the year as clear favourites following a dominant pre-season, internal tension has steadily built within the Woking camp as both drivers push for the world championship.

Norris, who came close to dethroning Max Verstappen in 2024, was widely seen as McLaren’s lead contender entering the campaign. Yet it’s Piastri who has taken charge this year, winning seven races and leading the championship by 22 points with six Grands Prix remaining.

Controversy erupted at Monza, where McLaren instructed Piastri to give back second place to Norris after a slow pit stop cost the Brit valuable time. The decision left Piastri frustrated and expecting “payback” in future races — but when the opportunity arose in Singapore, it never came. The two clashed early in the race after Norris hit the back of Verstappen, causing contact between the McLaren teammates. Despite Piastri’s demands for the positions to be swapped, the team and stewards chose not to intervene.

The dynamic between the two drivers has since grown increasingly strained, though McLaren CEO Zak Brown has received praise for his management of the situation.

Two-time world champion Mika Hakkinen, speaking to La Gazzetta dello Sport, defended Brown’s leadership: “The team has made great progress by putting together everything it needs. And what’s needed today is different, more complex than what was sufficient in my day. It requires much more communication. That’s why I think Zak Brown is doing a great job. And it’s not easy with two very young drivers, even though Lando now has a lot of experience. McLaren represents a good idea of how F1 is at its peak these days.”