Piastri Rejects Number 2 Role in McLaren's Title Bid
Oscar Piastri has firmly rejected McLaren's 'very brief discussion' about him supporting Lando Norris in the F1 2025 title race. With two races left, Piastri insists he still has a shot at the championship, despite Norris's 24-point lead and Max Verstappen's strong post-summer break form. McLaren maintains its 'no team orders' policy, setting the stage for an intriguing end to the season.
Oscar Piastri has emphatically rejected the notion of playing a supporting role to Lando Norris in McLaren's F1 2025 title quest, despite a 'very brief discussion' with the team. With two race weekends remaining and 58 points still up for grabs, both McLaren drivers theoretically could win the championship, though Norris holds a 24-point lead.
Why it matters:
After a remarkable surge in performance, McLaren finds itself in an unexpected championship battle with both its drivers. Piastri's firm stance underscores the team's commitment to allowing its drivers to race freely, even as the title fight tightens. This approach highlights McLaren's internal philosophy but also adds a layer of complexity to their strategy against a resurgent Max Verstappen.
The details:
- Championship Standings: Lando Norris leads the McLaren duo with a 24-point advantage. Piastri is tied with Max Verstappen on points but is ahead on grand prix victories.
- Post-Summer Break Performance: Since the summer break, Verstappen has significantly outscored both McLaren drivers, accumulating 179 points with four wins and eight podiums. Norris has scored 115 points (two wins, three podiums), while Piastri has 82 points (one win, no further podiums in seven races).
- Team Orders Discussion: McLaren, which has consistently stated it would rather lose the title than issue team orders, held a brief discussion with Piastri regarding supporting Norris.
- Piastri's Rejection: "We've had a very brief discussion, and the answer is no," Piastri stated. "I'm still equal on points with Max and have a decent shot at still winning it if things go my way."
- Outside Shot: Piastri acknowledges his title chances are an 'outside shot' and depend on other results, not just his own performance. He aims to have the best possible final two weekends.
- Rival Influence: Piastri recognizes that rivals, especially Max Verstappen, could influence the championship by taking points from Norris, which could either benefit or harm his own title aspirations depending on who is scoring those points.
What's next:
As the F1 2025 season heads into its final two races, Piastri remains confident in his ability to perform well, particularly at circuits he enjoys. While McLaren's 'no team orders' policy could provide exciting racing, it also means a fragmented effort against Verstappen's consistent dominance. The championship outcome will largely depend on whether Piastri can find his winning form again and how other contenders, particularly Verstappen, perform in the critical final rounds. The approach taken by McLaren in balancing individual ambition with team success will be under intense scrutiny.