McLaren Racing is signaling its commitment to letting its drivers race each other freely, even as internal discussions intensify over managing team dynamics and championship aspirations. The announcement comes amid a strong season for the team, with both Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri delivering impressive performances and consistently finishing near the front of the pack. In recent weeks, McLaren’s resurgence has placed both drivers in contention for podium finishes—and occasionally, in direct on-track battles. Rather than impose strict team orders or designate a number one driver, team principal Andrea Stella has made it clear that McLaren favors a policy of fair racing between its two talented drivers, provided the spirit of respect and the team’s overall interests are maintained.

“This isn’t an easy conversation, but it’s an essential one,” Stella said during a media briefing. “We want both drivers to feel empowered to compete, but we also need to balance that with the strategic needs of the team. The focus is to ensure both cars finish strong.” The latest flashpoint came during the Canadian Grand Prix, where Norris and Piastri engaged in a tense but clean wheel-to-wheel duel for position.

While fans lauded the excitement, team engineers expressed concern over how closely the pair came to risking damage. Nonetheless, McLaren’s decision to allow racing suggests a long-term focus on cultivating talent and encouraging peak performance rather than favoring a single contender. Lando Norris, McLaren’s more experienced driver and a regular podium finisher this season, has expressed his support for the approach, noting that internal competition pushes him to improve. “Oscar’s quick, and that pushes me to be quicker.

As long as we race fair, it’s a good thing,” Norris said. Piastri, meanwhile, remains focused on consistency and learning, but has shown he’s not afraid to go toe-to-toe with his teammate when the opportunity arises. With both drivers under contract and McLaren steadily closing the gap with Red Bull and Ferrari, team management faces the delicate task of ensuring mutual respect while maintaining competitive freedom. Talks are reportedly underway behind the scenes to establish clearer guidelines for racing etiquette—particularly in high-stakes situations near the end of races.