Steiner Urges McLaren: Fully Back Norris Now or Risk Losing Title

Guenther Steiner, never one to mince words, has delivered a blunt message to McLaren as the Formula 1 title battle intensifies: The team must now throw its full support behind Lando Norris, or they risk losing the championship.

Norris holds a 24-point lead heading into the Qatar weekend, but with Oscar Piastri and Max Verstappen tied right behind him, and McLaren's double disqualification in Las Vegas already tightening the gap, Steiner believes playing 'fair' is no longer an option.

Why it matters:

• McLaren's long-standing philosophy of letting its drivers race freely is being tested at a crucial moment. With the championship on the line, Steiner argues that this egalitarian approach could cost them their first drivers' title since 2008.
• The tight points standings, coupled with Max Verstappen's relentless pursuit, creates immense pressure for McLaren to make a strategic call that prioritizes the championship over internal parity.

The Details:

• 'Let the Boys Race' Era Over: Steiner, on The Red Flags Podcast, firmly stated that McLaren's policy of equal treatment for its drivers is no longer sustainable given the stakes.
• Unwavering Support for Norris: He emphasized, "They must support him. Otherwise, I mean, he hasn't got a chance." Steiner expressed that he would be "shocked" if McLaren did not allow Norris to pass Piastri if Piastri were leading.
• Verstappen as a 'Predator': Steiner described Verstappen as an 'animal' circling its prey, questioning McLaren's resolve: "How fair do you want to be? Knowing that Lando now has a lead, but it's not a comfortable lead for the animal coming, it's like, 'Wow, do we want to be eaten up by the animal, or do we try to help one guy?'"
• Vegas Incident: Steiner also analyzed Norris's Turn 1 mistake in Las Vegas, suggesting Verstappen "tricked" Norris from pole. He believes Verstappen, realizing he couldn't win the start outright, manipulated Norris into an aggressive, late-braking lunge that sent him wide and gave Verstappen the lead.

What's next:

With only two races remaining, McLaren faces a critical decision point. They must choose between upholding their internal philosophy of fair racing or adopting a more ruthless, strategic approach to secure the drivers' championship for Lando Norris. Steiner's assessment highlights that while fair racing is noble, championships often demand pragmatic, team-oriented decisions, especially when a formidable opponent like Verstappen is in pursuit. The coming races will reveal if McLaren opts to side with its principles or its championship aspirations.