Heading into the Hungarian Grand Prix, Piastri holds a slender 16-point lead over his teammate following a dominant win in Belgium \u2014 but according to McLaren CEO Zak Brown, the fight between the two is too close to call.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Speaking to Sky Sports F1, Brown admitted that there is little to separate Piastri and Norris on current form, with the team having secured 10 wins from 13 races so far this season \u2014 most of them one-twos.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cThey both do because they're winning a lot and getting one-twos,\u201d Brown said when asked who currently holds the momentum. \u201cI think Oscar was a little disappointed with qualifying in Belgium. Lando was very happy. I'm sure he'll be a little bummed that he didn't win today, but it's coming off of two wins. I think it's going to be a coin toss every weekend.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Brown was full of praise for the 24-year-old Australian. \u201cOscar is a machine. And what's impressive is how aggressive he is, and yet he always brings the car home. That's quite a talent.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Despite McLaren\u2019s recent dominance and Max Verstappen slipping 81 points behind championship leader Piastri, Brown is not ready to count the Red Bull star out just yet.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cI think it's too early. It's looking good, but Max\u2026 there's a lot of racing left to go. We've got a nice gap but I wouldn't say we're there,\u201d Brown cautioned. \u201cWe've all been around this sport too long. To start dancing before you're in the end zone is a very dangerous thing to do.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Team Principal Andrea Stella echoed Brown\u2019s view on the closeness of the intra-team fight, emphasizing that both drivers will be given equal opportunity to let the championship play out on merit.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cThere is very, very little between our two drivers, and this is because the two drivers are racing at very, very high level,\u201d said Stella. \u201cWe are lucky at McLaren to have two drivers that are deservedly fighting for the World Championship. I think the difference will be made by the accuracy, the precision and the quality of the execution.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Team Principal Andrea Stella echoed Brown\u2019s view on the closeness of the intra-team fight, emphasizing that both drivers will be given equal opportunity to let the championship play out on merit.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Piastri and Norris, teammates since 2023, have enjoyed a respectful rivalry. While Norris had the edge last season, Piastri has come into his own in 2025, currently edging the Briton 7-6 in qualifying battles. <\/p>\r\n\r\n