Oscar Piastri has insisted that the relationship with his McLaren team-mate Lando Norris is "probably better than it has been" amid the closely contested championship fight.
Both McLaren drivers are fighting for their first drivers' championship. With three rounds of the 2025 season remaining, which will include three grands prix and one sprint race, Norris leads the standings by 24 points over Piastri. Red Bull's Max Verstappen also still poses a threat in third, 25 points behind Piastri.
McLaren has famously decided not to back a particular driver for the drivers' championship and has instead maintained a 'may the best man win' approach, even if that means losing out to the four-time champion.
The only provision given to Piastri and Norris by McLaren is that they must keep it clean between them on track, which they have mostly adhered to with the exception of only a handful of instances, including the Canadian and Singapore grands prix.
“It’s exactly the same, or honestly, probably better than it has been," Piastri said about his relationship with Norris during an appearance on the Beyond The Grid podcast. "It’s better because we just know each other more now. We’ve been together for our third year as team-mates, and we slowly get to know each other more and more.
“It’s probably in a better place than it ever has been, and we’re both the kind of people who believe that what happens on track stays on track. Maybe there are short-lived emotions off the track, but we’re both quite good at letting things die down and, again, leaving things on the track.”
He added: “From that side of things, it’s really not changed. The way we’re still trying to get the most out of the team is exactly the same.”
A string of strong performances from Norris resulted in the Briton overtaking Piastri in the standings. The Australian driver has failed to secure a podium finish since the Italian Grand Prix.
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