Piastri targets F1 title in ‘clean slate' with Norris

Dominika Jordan
Feb 13, 2025, 11:47 AM ET

McLaren's Oscar Piastri is aiming for the Formula 1 championship in 2025, following his team principal Andrea Stella's promise of "equal opportunities" for both drivers in the new season.

Last season, Piastri occasionally supported his experienced teammate Lando Norris, who made a late but unsuccessful bid to beat Max Verstappen for the title. Norris outperformed Piastri in the early rounds, emerging as Verstappen's primary rival in the latter half of the season.

With the new campaign approaching and McLaren expected to be a top contender, Piastri is optimistic. "It's definitely a clean slate," Piastri stated. "Everyone is starting from zero. Yes, there were times I helped Lando and times he helped me. I believe I can become world champion this year. I addressed my weaknesses last season and now it's about maintaining that performance every weekend."

Team orders became a focal point in the latter part of the 2024 season. At the Hungarian Grand Prix, Norris initially resisted team orders to let Piastri through, but eventually obliged. Issues resurfaced at the Italian Grand Prix when Piastri executed an aggressive but clean pass on Norris, who subsequently lost positions. The team later announced they would favor Norris in 50/50 situations, although Piastri went on to win in Baku with Norris' assistance.

As the new season looms, Stella expressed confidence in his drivers. "We're fortunate to have two drivers who can compete for victories and championships if the car is competitive. Both drivers start with equal opportunities. We reviewed last season and were impressed with how well they adhered to our principles and collaborated as a team."

Stella emphasized the importance of teamwork, noting the drivers' reflective approach to their performance. "Our racing principles are aligned with both drivers' beliefs. If a driver isn't fully committed to these principles, they aren't the right fit for McLaren."