Are Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris friends?

McLaren is doing surprisingly well in 2024 with Oscar Pastri and Lando Norris in the cockpit. The two drivers are amongst the youngest on the current grid and both have a strong passion for racing. This is visible on track with them synergizing to push the Papaya team ahead. Although we have seen both drivers be quite quick on track, it always feels like they work together as a team. And with your teammate being your worst enemy in Formula One, is it the case with them?

22-year-old Oscar Piastri is currently the youngest driver on the grid and he is closely followed by Lando Norris at 24. The two are often seen in public with a friendly demeanor but on the other hand, there have been some moments with friction between the two on the track. In the end, everyone is fighting for points, but what about when they are not? What about when they are not in the public eye? How exactly are the two McLaren drivers?

Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri: Friends that keep pushing each other for the win

Oscar Piastri recently was invited to be on the F1: Beyond the Grid podcast where he is interviewed about his performance so far and questioned about his strategy to win. But during the conversation, there was a question that popped up, that brought insight into the relationship between Lando Norris and his teammate.

When the conversation took this turn, Piastri was asked, “But what about Lando? You seem to rub along, at least from the outside, very well together. Is that the reality?” To this, the young driver answered, “Yeah, I would say so. We certainly work well together, you know? I think we’re always pushing each other to be quicker and quicker which is what you want as teammates.” 

Continuing the conversation about Norris, Piastri is then asked if McLaren is transparent where the drivers can learn from each other’s data. The Australian driver then replied, “I mean, sometimes we ask each other questions about how we’re driving or what we felt and stuff like that.”

Read More – Lando Norris’ Prophecy Set to Come True as “Important Update” May Prove Game Changer

“So I think we work together really well,” concludes Piastri after revealing the relationship between the two. Now that we know that the two drivers are ideal teammates on and off the track, let’s compare their stats.

Lando Norris Vs Oscar Piastri

With both the McLaren drivers being around the same age, Lando Norris is a more experienced driver. Starting in 2019, Norris has had more races compared to his teammate who just stepped onto the grid last year. But still, Piastri does not disappoint and has shown that he can fight with equal footing in his debut year.

Here are some stats to compare the two drivers based on their performance on the track:

• Points: Lando Norris has scored a total of 645 points, while Oscar Piastri has accumulated 113 points.
• Wins: Neither driver has secured any race wins.
• Podiums: Lando Norris has stood on the podium 13 times, whereas Oscar Piastri has achieved this feat twice.
• Poles: Lando Norris has earned one pole position, while Oscar Piastri has not secured any.
• Total GPs (Grand Prix): Lando Norris has participated in 106 Grand Prix races, while Oscar Piastri has participated in 24.
• Points per GP: Lando Norris averages 6.08 points per Grand Prix, while Oscar Piastri averages 4.71 points.
• Wins per GP: Both drivers have not won any Grand Prix, which makes it a race for who will get one first.
• Podiums per GP: Lando Norris averages 0.12 podium finishes per Grand Prix, whereas Oscar Piastri averages 0.08.
• Poles per GP: Lando Norris averages 0.01 pole positions per Grand Prix.
• Fastest laps: Both drivers have achieved one fastest lap.
• Best GP position: Both drivers’ best position in a Grand Prix is second place.

As you can see, it’s not a large difference between the two, despite Norris driving his 7th season in F1. This gives enough room for the younger driver to showcase his skills on the track in the future. 2024 being Piastri’s second season, there is still time for him to grow and continue to challenge his teammate. With that said, tell us who your favorite McLaren driver is in the comments below.

Read More – Lando Norris’ Jumpstart at Jeddah Gets Questioned as FIA’s Controversial Decision Comes Under the Scanner