Former Formula 1 race winner Johnny Herbert is confident that McLaren will give equal backing to both Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri in the upcoming season. Throughout the 2025 season’s 24 races, McLaren had to navigate a fierce rivalry between the two drivers, with some tension arising from the ‘papaya rule’ during certain on-track incidents.
The final race sparked debate over McLaren’s perceived preference for supporting Norris over Piastri, even drawing commentary from the Australian Parliament. However, Herbert, who has won three Grands Prix and worked as a Sky analyst, feels the team has maintained a fair approach between both drivers and expects this fairness to continue in 2026.
Herbert said, “I believe McLaren will be fair because fairness shows who will perform best. That support is there for both drivers. Sometimes people think Lando was favored and other times Oscar was, and I know Oscar felt Lando had a slight edge in support. But I don’t think McLaren favors Norris more; it ultimately depends on pure speed.”
He added that McLaren has the necessary support system in place and reflected on decisions at races like Monza and Hungary last year, noting these shouldn’t significantly affect the overall competition. “If you let things play out naturally, drivers will act in their best interests. Lando drove intelligently in Abu Dhabi, and Oscar also did his best to challenge Max. It was a double win for McLaren, as they pressured Max who was pressuring the team.”
Herbert praised Norris’s Abu Dhabi race, saying, “Lando executed a perfect race, staying well ahead of Leclerc. He anticipated Charles’ tires would degrade and had the ideal strategy and drive.”
Fan Take: This confirmation of McLaren’s equal treatment is crucial for fans who want to see pure talent and fair competition thrive without team bias clouding the sport. It sets a positive tone for an exciting and balanced 2026 season, making McLaren’s battles a highlight for F1 enthusiasts.
