Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri bring McLaren closer to Red Bull in the standings. But who is the driver who can challenge Max Verstappen?

Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri are one of the most balanced duos on the current grid. It goes without a doubt that the McLaren drivers are doing wonders this season. Between first wins, podiums and a competitive car, the Papaya team is showing everyone what they can do.

Naturally, alongside the successes of the two drivers, there are also many controversies. Not only the infamous Hungarian Grand Prix but also some inconsistency and missed opportunities.

But, despite everything, McLaren is only 30 points behind Red Bull and Verstappen isn’t the unbeatable driver like last season. So, between the two drivers in papaya orange, who is going to give to Super Max a hard time?

Norris: his chances are right there but…

Lando Norris won the Dutch Grand Prix right before Verstappen’s fans. He dominated the race and scored the fastest lap right before the finish line on used hard tyres. This was possible also thanks to a competitive MCL38 and the package of new upgrades that the team bought to Zandvoort.

However, the weekend in Zandvoort highlighted some struggles that the British driver has to face. The one at the Dutch GP was the third pole for Norris and, just like the two before, he lost the leadership at the start.

Not only that, but the first half of the season is pulling Norris down. During the first seven races, Verstappen was able to collect 60 points more than Norris. Things went better after Miami when Lando conquered his first win. But races like the one in Spa, where he finished 5th, or in Austria, where he had a DNF, have an enormous impact on the standings. He lost around 51 points in the first half of the season.

Now, if Lando Norris manages to win all the remaining races, he can close the gap and, maybe, he’ll have a chance to steal the Championship from Max’s hands.

Piastri: the quiet rising star of McLaren

After his win in Hungary, Oscar Piastri is the seventh youngest driver to ever win in F1, the first one born in the XXI century. To some, it’s clear that the Australian represents the future of the sport alongside his teammate.

After a solid rookie season in 2023, Piastri is proving his abilities this season as well. Where Norris lacked something, Oscar was right there to secure important results for the team. Just like the week race in Belgium, where his rhythm and tyre management made him the fastest on track and secured a podium.

However, he also had his ups and downs, like the last Grand Prix in the Netherlands. Piastri himself said that he wasn’t happy with his performance. His race was solid and the pace was good, but not comparable to Norris’. Closing the race in P4, with your teammate ahead by 25 seconds, does leave a bitter taste.

Nevertheless, Oscar Piastri is the top scorer in the last 5 Grands Prix. And where Norris lost points here and there, Oscar has climbed the standings gaining 92 points before the summer break.

What are the chances?

The Grand Prix in Abu Dhabi is getting closer, the expectations placed on McLaren are high. If the Driver Championship seems almost secured in Verstappen’s grasp, the same cannot be said about the Constructors.

The Papayas are comfortable in their second position at the moment. Red Bull is close while Ferrari and Mercedes are respectively 34 and 128 points behind.

The RB20 isn’t the perfect rocketship as the 2023 season car, Red Bull is having a hard time. All of this while the MCL38 is improving by the day. The Team Principal, Andrea Stella, has really raised the team of Woking from its ashes.

The rest of the work depends on the drivers and both Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri proved to have the talent and the will. Their performances in the second half of the season will be crucial for the team.