McLaren Formula 1 boss Zak Brown has expressed confidence that Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri will maintain a healthy rivalry as they vie for the championship. Despite a collision in Canada, Brown believes their mutual respect and communication will prevent any serious fallout.

Norris recently closed the gap to Piastri by winning the Hungarian Grand Prix, reducing the lead to just nine points. Both drivers have been dominant this season, securing 11 out of 14 race wins between them.

Brown emphasized the importance of their relationship, stating, "We're very fortunate to have the two personalities that we have. We love the challenge. I'm looking forward to them racing each other."

The Future of McLaren's Rivalry

As the season progresses, Brown anticipates more intense battles but remains confident that any tension will be managed transparently. "If something bubbles up, we'll deal with it," he said. "We'll take the air out of the balloon right away."

Both drivers are under long-term contracts, making it crucial for McLaren to foster a positive environment. Brown added, "They're going to be racing against each other for a long time in the same team, so it's important that relationship continues to grow."

Championship Ambitions

With Max Verstappen still in the mix, the championship could come down to a head-to-head battle between Norris and Piastri. Brown plans to discuss how to handle the inevitable outcome with both drivers. "They both can smell the championship, and only one can win it," he noted.

Brown also dismissed claims that Norris is mentally fragile, praising his current form. "Lando's open, he kind of wears his emotions on his sleeve, so to speak. He's doing an awesome job."

As the Dutch Grand Prix approaches, all eyes will be on McLaren's dynamic duo to see how their rivalry unfolds in the remaining races of the season.