Zak Brown urged to make harsh Lando Norris decision that could lead to McLaren backlash
Zak Brown is facing an uncomfortable decision with his two drivers in the championship.
Zak Brown is facing a tough call to prioritize Oscar Piastri over Lando Norris for the rest of the 2025 season, as suggested by six-time Grand Prix winner Riccardo Patrese. The suggestion comes as Piastri leads his teammate by 22 points in the F1 Drivers' Championship standings after a dramatic incident at the Montreal Grand Prix.
The two were battling for fourth place during the final laps of the Canadian Grand Prix when Norris misjudged an attack on Turn One, colliding with the rear of car No. 81 and causing significant damage to his own vehicle.
The championship leader was lucky to escape unharmed, but the crash could have had serious consequences, potentially allowing rival Max Verstappen to close the gap.
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Norris quickly accepted blame for the collision, a move that earned him praise from team principal Andrea Stella and McLaren Racing CEO Brown. However, despite Norris's commendable honesty, the incident has raised questions about his standing within the team.
Patrese, who finished second to Williams teammate Nigel Mansell in the 1992 championship, believes Brown and Stella should consider a change. "I would put Piastri first," he told Listofsweepstakescasinos.com. "I think he's a bit stronger in the head than Norris, and also he has more points than Norris at the moment. The fact that Norris is in front now, then Zak Brown can make a decision because it happened to me in '83.
"I had approximately the same points as Nelson Piquet, but then I crashed in Acque Minerali in Imola, and then we had to fight again with the Renault and the Ferraris."
If Brown takes Patrese's advice to heart, he could risk losing Norris, who is unlikely to settle for being a second-string driver.
However, if Piastri becomes the top dog at McLaren, Norris may have no option but to seek opportunities elsewhere to keep his World Championship aspirations alive.
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Red Bull has shown interest in the past, but Mercedes and Ferrari seem to be off-limits due to their stable driver rosters.
The British racer signed a long-term contract that extends until the end of 2027 and has devoted his entire F1 career to McLaren.
