Norris: I now feel more of a threat to Piastri.

      The current equality among McLaren drivers won’t be permanent, according to Domenicali.

      Oscar Piastri is strengthening his bid for the 2025 world championship after outperforming teammate Lando Norris during Friday’s sessions at Spa. Piastri led both the sole practice and sprint qualifying, leading Auto Motor und Sport to state that he has "dismantled Norris" in Belgium thus far. This marks a solid start to the weekend for the 24-year-old Australian, who regained momentum after losing the British GP victory due to a contentious FIA penalty.

      In contrast, Norris is still on the mend from an unusual off-track injury he sustained shortly after his win at Silverstone. While showing his trophy to fans on the other side of the pitwall, a cameraman slipped and struck Norris in the face with a television camera, resulting in a bloodied nose that required stitches. This incident marks his second nose injury in as many seasons, having suffered a similar injury from broken glass while celebrating in Amsterdam during King’s Day in 2024.

      "This time, my nose was fixed more professionally than last time," Norris joked, as reported by the Dutch publication Formule 1. "But both incidents are great memories for me. So when I look in the mirror and want to recall something special, I just look at my nose. That’s a good thing."

      Despite the humor, Norris acknowledges that Piastri is more naturally at ease in the 2025 McLaren. "Do I feel more confident that I can deliver performances like that? Yes. Do I feel as solid as last season, and am I performing consistently at that level? I still don't think so," he confessed.

      "I feel more of a threat to Oscar now, yes," Norris continued. "But my current position, the state of the car, and how I manage it are still not where I want them to be."

      The two McLaren drivers are now engaged in a direct competition for the title, with Max Verstappen no longer in realistic contention for the championship. While the team has maintained a stance of driver equality, the pressure is mounting. F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali, who previously managed Ferrari during its era of strict number one drivers, believes the current balance at McLaren will soon be challenged.

      When asked by Corriere della Sera if the Piastri-Norris situation constitutes a "soft duel," Domenicali replied, "Yes, but eventually, one will push the other out." He added, "McLaren is getting ready for that moment. Allowing them to race isn't suitable for everyone. I say this from experience—when I was in that role, I didn’t approach it that way. McLaren also reminds us that in tough times, you shouldn’t lose hope. If you have the right people and resources, things can change rapidly."