McLaren boss breaks silence on driver 'preference' conspiracy theories after Lando Norris passes Oscar Piastri

McLaren team principal Andrea Stella has shared his thoughts on the driver preference conspiracy theories following Lando Norris overtaking Oscar Piastri in the 2025 F1 drivers' championship. With four rounds remaining, Norris is only a single point ahead of Piastri.

Throughout the ongoing 2025 campaign, Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri have been performing at a high level. The Brit has amassed six wins and 16 podiums on his way to 357 points, whereas Piastri has secured seven wins and 14 podiums on his way to 356.

Amid their fierce battle for the world championship, conspiracy theories have made the rounds on the web about McLaren possibly prioritizing Norris over Piastri. This was recently put forward to Andrea Stella via the Beyond the Grid Podcast, and as a response, he has added:

"When you are in my role, it's like when you have two sons and somebody says like, which one is your preferred son? Yeah, but they are my two sons. How can you say which one is the preferred? So, sometimes when I hear or read comments of this kind, I find them really very superficial. (45:00 onwards). "And just like, I think that sometimes people don't really understand what it means to have two drivers that are with you. They are with you together in this journey, Formula 1. So, I just feel very grateful to both in fairness."

Round 21 of the 2025 Formula 1 season will take place this week at the Autódromo José Carlos Pace racing circuit in São Paulo, Brazil.

"He's been quick all season": Lando Norris impressed with title rival Max Verstappen

F1 Grand Prix of Mexico - Source: Getty

While Andrea Stella has pretty much shut down the conspiracy theories of McLaren favoring Lando Norris, the latter has recently acknowledged the 2025 performances of title rival Max Verstappen.

The Dutchman is currently in third place in the drivers' standings and is 36 points behind Norris. With the Brazilian Grand Prix just around the corner, Norris has showered praise on Verstappen and added:

"He's been quick all season, had many pole positions, and it is not that they were ever bad, so it is not a surprise that when it clicks a bit more and they get the car in a better place, then Max does what he does and they're catching up." (Via: RN365). "But at the same time, it doesn't change anything that I do, I try and win a race every weekend, that is my approach, has been for a while, and that's the approach I'll continue with."

Max Verstappen has won four consecutive world championships since 2021, and Lando Norris and teammate Oscar Piastri are fighting for his maiden title this year.

Edited by Rishabh Negi