McLaren’s intra-team clash echoes 1986 drama: can Piastri avoid Prost’s fate?

McLaren's current intra-team rivalry between Oscar Piastri and his teammate mirrors the dramatic 1986 Formula 1 season, when internal conflict at Williams between Nigel Mansell and Nelson Piquet paved the way for McLaren's Alain Prost to seize the drivers' championship.

Piastri has openly acknowledged the emotional challenge of losing the title to a teammate, stating it would "hurt" but emphasizing his readiness to accept the outcome. He stressed the importance of merit, saying, "You always want to earn things on merit, and you want to be able to beat everyone, including your team-mate."

This season, Verstappen has won two races compared to Piastri's five, yet the McLaren drivers remain locked in a fierce intra-team battle. The situation recalls the 1986 season when Williams, despite having the dominant car and winning the constructors' championship, saw their drivers' rivalry undermine their chances. This internal strife allowed Prost to capitalize and clinch the drivers' title in the season finale.

The parallels raise questions about whether Piastri can avoid Prost's fate and emerge as the clear champion, or if intra-team tensions will again influence the championship outcome. McLaren's internal dynamics and Piastri's mindset will be critical as the season progresses.

McLaren's current intra-team rivalry between Oscar Piastri and his teammate echoes the 1986 F1 drama when internal battles at Williams allowed McLaren's Alain Prost to clinch the drivers' title. Piastri acknowledges the pain of losing but aims to earn his success on merit amid intense competition.