Villeneuve Believes Piastri’s New Contract Changes McLaren’s Dynamic
Former Formula 1 world champion Jacques Villeneuve believes McLaren can no longer favor Lando Norris following Oscar Piastri’s recent contract extension. Last season, McLaren issued team orders to support Norris in his championship fight, but according to Villeneuve, that scenario is unlikely to repeat itself.
Speaking to CardPlayer, Villeneuve emphasized how Piastri’s new deal solidifies his position within the team.
“Oscar’s contract protects him. That means they can’t prioritize Lando anymore,” Villeneuve stated.
“As long as both drivers have a shot at the championship, there won’t be team orders unless it’s absolutely necessary for the team’s title hopes, or unless one of them runs into trouble, like we saw in certain races last year.”
McLaren’s Strength Lies in a Balanced Car
According to Villeneuve, McLaren’s biggest advantage right now is having a car that suits both drivers equally well.
“The most important thing for McLaren is that both of their drivers can fully exploit the car. That allows them to stay in control of their championship battle,” he explained.
Villeneuve also pointed out one of Norris’s recurring struggles: tire management.
“Lando often struggles with the front end of the car and tends to wear out his front tires more than he should. We knew China was going to be a challenge for him because that track is particularly hard on front tires.”
Norris vs. Piastri: A Championship Rivalry Within the Team?
Villeneuve also suggested that Piastri could become a serious threat to Norris’s championship hopes in the long run.
“The points gap between finishing first and second is significant. That’s why it was crucial for Lando to score as many points as possible. Because as the season progresses, Piastri will be a real contender for the title, and this battle might end up being fought entirely within McLaren.”
“The hardest fight you’ll ever have is the one against your teammate.”
Piastri’s Home Race Heartbreak and China Redemption
Oscar Piastri came close to securing his first F1 victory at his home race in Melbourne, only to lose out after running wide in the closing stages. However, he bounced back in China with an impressive performance—finishing second in the sprint race and winning the main Grand Prix.
Villeneuve believes that in Shanghai, Piastri handled pressure better than Norris.
“Lando was faster throughout the weekend, but he made crucial mistakes. He messed up in qualifying, which put him on the back foot, and that affected his race as well.”
“Piastri, on the other hand, remained composed. He maximized his weekend, nailed qualifying, got a strong start, and executed everything perfectly once he took the lead.”
Villeneuve also pointed out the differences in their racecraft:
“Lando was fast, but he got stuck in traffic and overheated his brakes. Sometimes, being the fastest isn’t what matters most—it’s about having the best overall weekend and not cracking under pressure.”
Looking Ahead: A Shift in McLaren’s Internal Politics?
With both drivers proving to be championship-caliber talents, McLaren may find itself in an internal power struggle. Unlike last season, when Norris was the clear team leader, Piastri’s rapid development and newly secured long-term deal suggest McLaren will have to treat them as equals moving forward.
If Villeneuve’s assessment is correct, the days of McLaren issuing team orders in favor of Norris are over. Instead, fans might be in for an intense intra-team rivalry that could shape the course of the 2025 championship.
