Piastri believes the McLaren duo can manage a "fair" championship fight.

      "We must maintain a fair and sporting approach."

      Championship leader Oscar Piastri believes that both he and Lando Norris can manage a fierce intra-team competition for the 2025 drivers’ title. With Max Verstappen positioned in P3, the two McLaren drivers are only 3 points apart after a third of the current season. So far, the team's 'Papaya rules' have allowed them to compete against each other.

      "I think it’s fantastic that the team permits both of us to contest for race wins," Piastri is quoted by Bild newspaper in Barcelona.

      Opinions in the pitlane are divided on whether the cooler but less experienced Piastri or the arguably faster yet more mentally vulnerable Norris will come out on top. Piastri is confident that both drivers are handling the situation well.

      "Lando and I were aware that we could find ourselves in this position this year. We communicated openly about it," said the 24-year-old. "We agreed to avoid any unsportsmanlike conduct — that’s not in our nature. It would be detrimental for both of us and the team if we jeopardized our long-term partnership at McLaren over a championship title.

      "We must not cross a fair, sporting line," emphasized the Australian, who is managed by Mark Webber, believed to have included strict driver equality in Piastri’s contract.

      "Piastri concluded in Barcelona, ‘Lando, Max, and I will compete for victory here.'"