Guenther Steiner Urges McLaren to Support Lando Norris in Championship Fight
Former Haas principal Guenther Steiner has urged McLaren to back Lando Norris in the F1 drivers' championship, criticizing their 'let them race' policy. With Norris holding a 24-point lead over teammate Oscar Piastri and Max Verstappen, Steiner believes McLaren must prioritize Norris's title bid, warning against the risk of losing out to Verstappen if internal competition persists. His comments highlight the strategic dilemma McLaren faces as the season nears its end.
Former Haas team principal Guenther Steiner has called on McLaren to decisively back Lando Norris in the drivers' championship battle, especially after the team's double disqualification from the Las Vegas Grand Prix. Norris currently holds a 24-point lead heading into the final two rounds of the season, with teammate Oscar Piastri and Red Bull's Max Verstappen tied behind him.
Why it matters:
McLaren's long-standing policy of letting its drivers race freely is now under intense scrutiny as the championship reaches its climax. With Verstappen, a four-time champion, lurking just behind, the risk of McLaren's internal competition undermining Norris's title bid is very real. Steiner's comments highlight the critical strategic decision facing the team: prioritize a single driver for the championship or maintain a 'may the best man win' philosophy that could cost them.
The details:
- Championship Standings: Lando Norris leads the drivers' championship by 24 points with two rounds remaining.
- Close Contenders: Oscar Piastri and Max Verstappen are tied on points behind Norris, intensifying the competition.
- McLaren's Stance: The Woking team has consistently allowed its drivers to race without team orders throughout the season.
- Steiner's Critique: Guenther Steiner argued on The Red Flags Podcast that McLaren "must support him" (Norris) to give him a realistic chance against Verstappen.
- He expressed shock at the idea of McLaren not allowing Norris to pass Piastri if the situation arose where Piastri was leading and Norris was second.
- Steiner questioned McLaren's stubbornness, emphasizing the danger of being "eaten up by the animal" (Verstappen) if they don't help their leading driver.
- Las Vegas GP Incident: Steiner also commented on Norris's aggressive move at the start of the Las Vegas Grand Prix.
- He suggested that Verstappen "tricked" Norris into making a mistake, leading Norris to brake late and run deep into Turn 1, allowing Verstappen to take the lead from pole position.
What's next:
McLaren's decision regarding team orders will be crucial for the remaining races. Maintaining their current 'fair racing' approach could be seen as principled but potentially detrimental to Norris's championship aspirations against a formidable opponent like Verstappen. Conversely, implementing team orders would be a significant shift in their strategy but could maximize Norris's chances of securing the title. The pressure is on McLaren to decide whether to stick to their philosophy or adapt to the high stakes of a championship fight.