Lando Norris On Rivalry With Oscar Piastri, “We’ll All Be Dead…”

Lando Norris has always been a fan favorite, not just for his speed on track, but for his honest, sometimes quirky view of Formula 1 and life itself. This year, with McLaren finally back on top and Oscar Piastri as his only real rival for the championship, the spotlight is brighter than ever on their teammate battle. But if you think Lando is losing sleep over it, think again, because he recently opened up on this rivalry. Let’s see what he said.

Lando Norris On The Rivalry

After a tough but entertaining fight with Oscar Piastri, one that fans have called one of the season’s biggest dramas, Lando Norris surprised everyone with a simple, almost philosophical take: “I don’t enjoy that. In 200 years, no one is going to care. We’ll all be dead. I am trying to have a good time. I still care about it, and that’s why I get upset sometimes, and I get disappointed and I get angry at myself.”

“And I think that shows just how much I care about winning and losing. But that doesn’t mean I need to take it out on Oscar. I just don’t get into those kind of things,” he added. That’s Lando’s way of saying he isn’t about to waste time playing mind games or stirring up drama just to get ahead.

This might sound a bit blunt, but it’s classic Lando Norris, down to earth and focused on what matters. Yes, he wants to win, and yes, he wants to beat Piastri more than anyone else. But he also knows it’s not worth risking friendships or turning things ugly. According to Lando, losing to his teammate isn’t the end of the world. If it happens, it just means Oscar did a better job that season, and he’s okay with that.

He said, “Yes, he [Piastri] is the guy I want to beat more than anyone else. But if I don’t beat him, then that’s just because he has done a better job. I will do it the way I believe is best for me, and just because one person did it a few years ago, it doesn’t mean you have to do that, too. I don’t really care about those things.”

A Legendary Rivalry In Making

Their battle has been fierce. Race after race, the two McLaren drivers have traded wins and pole positions, sometimes separated by only a handful of points. Each has had their moment: Piastri took an early championship lead with some flawless drives, then Lando Norris struck back with big wins in Austria and his first-ever home victory at Silverstone. There have even been tense moments, like Norris bumping into Piastri at the Canadian Grand Prix, but both drivers managed to keep things respectful. Even after that incident, Norris owned up to it, and life went on.

While some F1 rivalries have turned bitter over much less, just ask fans of Ayrton Senna vs. Alain Prost or Nico Rosberg vs. Lewis Hamilton, McLaren has handled things differently. The team lets both fighters go wheel-to-wheel, no team orders, no drama, just pure racing. And both Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri seem to get it. Piastri himself knows it’s not just about one title; it’s about building a long career at the top. He wants both drivers and McLaren to keep challenging for championships for years, not just now. So, all eyes will be on the Papapa boys as they continue their championship battle.

Also read: Will McLaren’s Drivers’ Title Drought Finally End In 2025? Find Out