P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Oscar Piastri asserts that maintaining a “completely open” relationship with team-mate Lando Norris will be key to the McLaren Formula
Piastri stepped in for Ricciardo last season amidst McLaren’s struggles with their development targets. However, the introduction of a mid-season upgrade package turned things around, leading to Piastri’s impressive performances, including two podium finishes and a victory. Norris acknowledges Piastri as a strong competitor and expects him to challenge him even further in his second season. McLaren is aiming to become a contender against Red Bull in 2024, and Piastri emphasizes the importance of maintaining a strong partnership with Norris to close the remaining gap. Their relationship remains the same, with open communication and sharing of data to help both drivers and the team’s development. Despite McLaren’s slow start, Piastri was always aware that he would be compared to Norris, regardless of their competitiveness, and the pressure to achieve results was still present. Nonetheless, Piastri is focused on learning quickly and contributing to the team’s success.
