F1 Title Battle: No Tension Between Oscar Piastri And Lando Norris

Oscar Piastri insists there is no tension between himself and Lando Norris in the McLaren garage, despite the pair going toe-to-toe for the Formula One title. 

The racing calendar resumes this weekend at the Dutch Grand Prix following the summer break, with Piastri leading the way in the drivers' championship standings. 

But it is Norris who has the momentum, after he cut his team-mate's lead to just nine points following his impressive one-stop triumph in Hungary last time out. 

Norris also won the 2024 edition in Zandvoort. Should he do so this year, it will be the first time he has achieved two victories at the same venue in his F1 career. 

Piastri, meanwhile, is the only driver on the grid to score points in all 14 races this season, and the Australian will be keen to keep that streak going this weekend. 

However, many believe the McLaren duo's relationship will sour as the season progresses, with both aiming to become world champion for the first time. 

The pair already clashed at the Canadian Grand Prix back in June, with Norris forced to retire after colliding with Piastri, who finished fourth, in the closing stages. 

McLaren chief executive Zak Brown said the incident was "inevitable" and predicted the pair would "touch paint" again this season as the pressure continues to build. 

Piastri also vented his frustration at the team's approach in Hungary, as Norris executed a one-stop strategy to give McLaren their 200th victory in F1. 

McLaren have instilled 'Papaya rules' that allow both drivers to race freely without causing a collision, though many have questioned whether that will bring about flash points.

However, Piastri was quick to dismiss any rumours of tension between himself and Norris ahead of F1's return.

"It's an interesting dynamic," Piastri said. "I think we both feel there's not really any tension. Well, there's not any tension at all, really. I think we get on very well.

"We're doing silly stuff on Thursdays but, obviously, once we get on track, then the business starts, and we're both determined to try and win and get as many points as we can.

"There's definitely kind of two sides to it, but if there's tension in wanting to beat each other, it never spills off the track, which I think is a nice thing.

"It is an interesting dynamic in how it kind of changes and flows. We've always got on well, so I don't think that'll change."