Qualification in direct comparison

Norris 11-3 Piastri

They may both be young drivers, but the additional F1 experience that Norris possesses seems to be making an impact in the team’s head-to-head battles. The 24-year-old has comfortably beaten his teammate in qualifying so far and has only been beaten by Piastri three times in the first half of 2024 (in Saudi Arabia, Imola and Monaco).

Norris is also responsible for McLaren’s two pole positions at the Spanish and Hungarian Grand Prix weekends, and he also deserves an honourable mention for the first sprint qualifying pole of the year in changeable weather conditions in China.

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Head-to-head race

Norris 9-5 Piastri

Norris is also back in the lead in terms of race results. The British driver has crossed the finish line ahead of Piastri in nine races so far. However, Piastri has looked increasingly stronger as the season has progressed, with the Australian finishing ahead on three of the last four weekends.

McLaren have shown impressive reliability so far, reflected in the fact that both drivers have been classified in all 14 rounds. Norris did not make it to the end of the Austrian Grand Prix following his late-race collision with Verstappen as they battled for the lead (more on that later), but was still classified 20th when he retired seven laps from the chequered flag.

Piastri, meanwhile, has scored points in every race so far except Miami, where he slipped to P13 after retiring during the safety car period and colliding with Carlos Sainz’s Ferrari.