Piastri Confirms McLaren Briefly Considered, Then Rejected, Norris Prioritization
McLaren briefly considered and then rejected prioritizing Lando Norris over Oscar Piastri for the F1 championship. Piastri, tied with Max Verstappen in points, insists he still has a shot at the title and will continue to push for wins. Heading into Qatar, where he previously won a Sprint race, Piastri remains confident in his ability to perform and will not act as a wingman for Norris, emphasizing his own championship aspirations.
Oscar Piastri has confirmed that McLaren briefly floated the idea of prioritizing Lando Norris in the final stretch of this year’s Formula 1 world championship fight – but the Australian made it clear the plan was swiftly rejected. Norris remains the points leader with two rounds to go, despite the team’s double disqualification in Las Vegas for excessive plank wear. That same penalty wiped out Piastri’s fourth place, leaving him tied with Max Verstappen on 366 points and 24 behind his teammate heading into Qatar.
Why it matters:
After years of struggling to mount a consistent title challenge, Ferrari's pursuit of a breakthrough engine could dramatically reshape the competitive landscape of F1. A powerful yet reliable power unit is crucial for a team aiming to challenge the established frontrunners and return to championship contention, a position they haven't held consistently since 2018.
The Details:
- Italian motorsport reports indicate Ferrari's 2026 engine is 'extreme' and could rival Mercedes', which is currently considered the benchmark in the field.
- The main challenge remains reliability, a recurring theme for aggressive power unit designs.
- Advanced Technology: Ferrari is exploring cutting-edge Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS) technology. This technique combines different metal powders with other materials, such as ceramic, to create optimal components for the power unit.
- Potential benefits include improved reliability and enhanced cooling performance, a critical factor as demonstrated by McLaren's current season success with Mercedes engines.
- Aerodynamic Focus: Aerodynamic efficiency is another key area of focus. DMLS technology allows for the creation of complex and diverse geometric shapes, freeing the Scuderia to innovate in component design.
- Cooling Optimization: Staff at Maranello are also reportedly working on optimizing the size of radiators to further improve aerodynamic efficiency.
Looking Ahead:
While the success of any 2026 project remains uncertain, these developments hint at Ferrari's aggressive strategy to return to the top.
- The upcoming Project 678, which is set to be Chassis Director Loic Serra's first car since he joined Maranello in October last year, is expected to debut Ferrari's new direction.
- If the rumors hold true and the reliability issues can be resolved, Ferrari could surprise the grid and re-establish itself at the pinnacle of Formula 1.
What's next:
With three scoring opportunities remaining, including Saturday's Sprint, Piastri's mindset hasn't shifted despite the increased stakes. He knows the championship math and what he can control, aiming to win and secure the best possible results. His confidence is bolstered by returning to Losail, where he secured his maiden F1 Sprint win in 2023, beating Verstappen. McLaren believes they've addressed issues from Vegas, but Qatar presents a different challenge with its high-speed, grippy tarmac and consistent temperatures. Piastri isn't ready to play wingman; while Norris leads, the Australian insists he is still very much in the title fight.