Piastri views Norris' championship as richly earned through superior execution, but expects zero ego inflation or favoritism to alter their equal footing inside the team.

He anticipates full parity in equipment and strategy calls moving forward, confident McLaren will uphold fairness without crowning a clear alpha. Their rapport has actually deepened over three seasons of cut-throat rivalry, with off-track chats keeping tensions from boiling over.​

Norris sealed the drivers crown by two points over Max Verstappen, with Piastri 11 points behind, after finishing second in the finale ahead of his teammates podium, securing third.​

Navigating Tense Team Moments

McLaren navigated flashpoints like Monza, where Piastri yielded second post pit woes to restore Norris position, and Singapore, where Norris aggressive start contact led to brief priority tweaks elsewhere.

Both drivers embraced the Papaya Rules framework, promoting clean wheels to wheel racing, avoiding the fractures that plagued past duo like Hamilton-Rosberg. Piastri credits those pressures for honing their edges, turning discomfort into mutual growth without lasting grudges.​

The teams constructors defense in Singapore highlighted how their synergy maximized points, even amid drivers title chaos.​

Eyes on 2026 Title Defense

Piastri plans offseason debriefs to refine approaches, but trusts the setup that gave both legitimate shots at glory throughout a seven win apiece campaign. He enters next year fueled by near miss lessons, vowing to channel Abu Dhabi heartbreak into sharper resolve against Norris and the grid.

McLaren brass including Zak Brown reinforce no hierarchy, positioning the pair for another constructors push with drivers title in play.​

This harmony sets a blueprint for rivalries, proving fierce competition can coexist with respect and elevate everyone involved.