McLaren's Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri found themselves in a tense on-track battle during the Belgian Grand Prix, raising eyebrows over their teamwork and competitive spirit.
The duo, usually supportive of each other, engaged in a fierce scrap at Spa-Francorchamps, with Norris ultimately overtaking Piastri in a move that left the Australian rookie visibly frustrated.
Team Orders or Pure Racing?
While McLaren insisted there were no team orders in play, the aggressive nature of Norris' move sparked debate among fans and pundits alike. Piastri, who had been running strongly in the opening laps, later admitted he was "surprised" by his teammate's approach.
Norris Defends His Actions
The British driver was quick to justify his manoeuvre, stating: "We're both here to race. I saw a gap and went for it—that's what Formula 1 is about." Team principal Andrea Stella later confirmed that both drivers had been given equal freedom to compete.
Piastri's Growing Confidence
The incident highlighted Piastri's increasing comfort in F1, with the young Australian refusing to yield easily to his more experienced teammate. His performance throughout the weekend demonstrated why many consider him a future champion.
As the season progresses, all eyes will be on how McLaren manages this burgeoning intra-team rivalry—one that could define their 2023 campaign.
