Lando Norris makes Oscar Piastri admission after new McLaren contract

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Lando Norris has admitted that ‘as much as you hate it’, the McLaren driver enjoyed Oscar Piastri ‘already’ being a tougher teammate than Daniel Ricciardo in Formula 1.

The 24-year-old has reflected on his first season sharing the garage with Piastri after signing a new deal. McLaren have locked Norris down with a multi-year contract extension to tie up their line-up until, at least, the end of 2026. Norris was due to be out of contract after 2025.

McLaren have moved early to fend off interest from rival F1 teams in Norris with Ferrari and Red Bull keeping tabs on his performances. The Woking squad already had Piastri tied down until the end of 2026 after handing the 22-year-old a new deal in September, whilst a rookie.

Piastri proved his potential after replacing Ricciardo next to Norris at McLaren

Piastri broke into Formula 1 with McLaren in 2023 after leaving Alpine to replace compatriot Ricciardo beside Norris. Woking chiefs opted to part ways with Ricciardo after two seasons having struggled to match Norris’ results. They paid the Australian to end his contract early.

Norris scored 160 and 122 points over his two seasons as Ricciardo’s teammate in 2021 and 2022. But Ricciardo could only secure 115 in 2021 before falling further off the Briton’s pace with just 37 in 2022. McLaren announced Ricciardo’s exit after the 2022 season that August.

Last season again saw Norris emerge as McLaren’s lead driver as he took a career-best 205 points. But Piastri built into his rookie season to take 97, and achieved a Formula 1 feat that Norris is still yet to enjoy. The Australian won the Sprint at the Qatar GP from pole position.

Norris opens up on his relationship with Piastri as McLaren F1 teammates

Norris has now reflected on the differences between Piastri and Ricciardo as his teammate after signing a new contract at McLaren. He even admits that the 2020 Formula 3 and 2022 Formula 2 champion was a tougher teammate than eight-time Grand Prix winner, Ricciardo.

“[He] already is,” Norris has told Sky Sports. “He gave me a good challenge last year. I think we work together really well. I think he’s an extremely talented driver.

“He’s a very hard worker, so I enjoyed it. It was nice to have that bit more of a push. As much as you hate it, you also like and welcome it because I want to make sure I’m in the best position for when I am fighting for a championship, that I am ready on all accounts.

“When you have a driver and teammate that can push you that little bit more, it’s only going to make you even more ready. That’s what I had last year. He helped the team massively and I think we worked together very well.”

Ricciardo cost Norris arguably his best chance at a Grand Prix win yet

Norris is still yet to win a Sprint or a Grand Prix but moved on to 13 career podiums in 2023. The Bristol-born ace finished in second place at the British, Hungarian, Singapore, Japanese, United States and Sao Paulo GPs. He also finished in third at the Qatar GP with Piastri in P2.

Piastri had only claimed his maiden Grand Prix podium finish at the Japanese GP two weeks before the Qatar GP. But he had threatened to finish in the top three at the British GP. Yet a late safety car period forced the Melbourne native to finish fourth, behind Lewis Hamilton.

It was Ricciardo, coincidently, who likely cost Norris his best chance to date for a Grand Prix victory at the 2021 Italian GP. The Briton yielded his fight and settled for second to protect the now-Visa Cash App RB driver. It remains McLaren’s only win since the 2012 Brazilian GP.