McLaren team principal Andrea Stella revealed Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri's relationship has become stronger following their battle for the Formula One title in 2025.

Norris was crowned the world champion for the first time in his career last season, coming out on top in a three-way tussle between Piastri and Red Bull's Max Verstappen. 

Piastri let slip a huge lead at the top of the Drivers' Championship, with the Australian holding a 34-point advantage over Norris heading into the final nine races of the season. 

There were several occasions where McLaren's wish to ensure both Norris and Piastri raced on even terms was put to the test as they looked to enforce "Papaya rules". 

Norris and Piastri have had their fair share of incidents, most notably at the Canadian Grand Prix last year when the Briton's attempt to overtake his team-mate saw him crash out and described the coming together as "silly" in his post-race assessment. 

Further incidents came in the sprint race for the United States Grand Prix and the Singapore Grand Prix, but Stella believes their relationship has never been stronger. 

"It wasn't a given that, after last year – when they found themselves battling for the world title right up to the final race – the harmony they'd built would remain intact," Stella said.

"Yet not only has this not changed, but the relationship between them and with the team has actually become even stronger. 

"And whilst this might, in a sense, have been expected of Lando – given that he was ultimately the one to become champion – it was not quite so predictable for Oscar, who, instead, has relied even more heavily on the team to accelerate his development, both on and off the track."

Just our duo doing duo things #McLarenF1 pic.twitter.com/oGgcadd7t4

— McLaren Mastercard Formula 1 Team (@McLarenF1) August 6, 2026

McLaren have been off the pace so far in 2026, sitting third in the Constructors' Championship and 159 points adrift of Mercedes, while Ferrari are 87 points clear in second. 

Kimi Antonelli leads the way by 50 points going into the summer break, with Lewis Hamilton, George Russell and Charles Leclerc all ahead of Norris and Piastri in the standings.

But Norris was able to claim McLaren's first race win since last year's Sao Paulo Grand Prix by winning the Hungarian Grand Prix at the end of July, though Piastri's woes continued as he was forced to retire due to an issue with his gearbox. 

Norris' triumph at the Hungaroring saw McLaren become the fourth constructor in F1 history to surpass the 8,000-point mark (8,010.5), and Stella remained optimistic of what the team could achieve for the rest of the season. 

"If we can continue the season as we did in Budapest, I think we can still achieve a great deal," Stella added. 

"To do so, we must keep pushing with the development and ensure we outpace our rivals – who certainly aren't standing still.

"There are still 12 races left on the calendar, so there are plenty of opportunities given that 546 points are up for grabs."