McLaren's Piastri Not Supporting Norris in Title Fight Against Verstappen
Oscar Piastri has confirmed that he will not be helping teammate Lando Norris in the F1 title fight against Max Verstappen in Qatar. Despite being 24 points behind Norris, Piastri remains tied with Verstappen in the standings and intends to pursue his own championship ambitions. This decision sets the stage for a dramatic three-way battle, with Piastri acknowledging his chances are an 'outside shot' but not impossible.
Oscar Piastri has stated he will not be supporting Lando Norris in the fight for the Formula 1 title against Max Verstappen this weekend in Qatar. Despite trailing his teammate by 24 points, Piastri remains an active contender for the championship, making it a three-way battle for the McLaren duo and Verstappen.
Why it matters:
- This decision from Piastri underscores McLaren's intent to allow both drivers to compete freely, even in a tight championship scenario. It signals a shift from traditional team orders, highlighting a belief in fair competition within the team, which could be a double-edged sword.
- With both McLarens and Verstappen in contention, this approach could either lead to a thrilling internal and external battle for the title or potentially dilute McLaren's overall points haul if the drivers take points from each other.
The Details:
- Equal Points with Verstappen: Following the disqualification of both McLaren drivers in Las Vegas, Piastri now finds himself tied with Max Verstappen in the drivers' standings, 24 points behind Lando Norris.
- No Team Orders: Piastri confirmed, "We've had a very brief discussion on it, and the answer is no." He emphasized his intention to pursue his own championship aspirations, stating, "Still equal on points with Max and got a decent shot of still winning it if things go my way, so yeah, that's how we'll play."
- Las Vegas Disqualification: Piastri acknowledged the disqualification was a "net negative" for the team despite bringing him closer to Norris in the standings. He noted it also brought Verstappen "much closer into the fight."
- Outside Shot: While recognizing his chances are an "outside shot," Piastri believes winning the world title is "not impossible." He plans to focus on performing his best in the remaining races, hoping for favorable outcomes from other competitors.
What's next:
If Lando Norris outscores Oscar Piastri by just two points over the Qatar Grand Prix weekend, Piastri will be mathematically eliminated from title contention before the season-ending Abu Dhabi GP. The outcome in Qatar will be crucial in shaping the final stages of this unexpected three-way title battle.