Verstappen on McLaren Team Orders: "All That Matters is the Trophy"
Max Verstappen would accept McLaren using team orders to prevent him from winning a fifth consecutive F1 title, stating, "All that matters is the trophy." Facing a 12-point deficit to Lando Norris, the season finale in Abu Dhabi could see strategic interventions, especially if Norris needs help from Oscar Piastri to secure his first championship. Verstappen acknowledges McLaren's strong form and anticipates a challenging race.
Defending Formula 1 world champion Max Verstappen states he would accept McLaren employing team orders to prevent him from securing a fifth consecutive drivers' title, emphasizing that "all that matters is the trophy." Verstappen currently faces a 12-point deficit to championship leader Lando Norris heading into the Yas Marina Circuit's season finale, with Oscar Piastri just four points behind Verstappen. This scenario suggests that if Verstappen wins, Norris would only need a podium finish to clinch his maiden world title. However, with tight competition anticipated at Yas Marina, a situation could arise where Norris, if running fourth or lower in the race's latter stages, might require assistance from his teammate Piastri.
Why it matters:
Max Verstappen's candid comments on potential team orders highlight the high stakes of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. The possibility of McLaren employing strategic maneuvers to secure Lando Norris's first championship underscores the intense pressure and the fine line between individual ambition and team success in Formula 1's title deciders. For McLaren, a drivers' title would be a monumental achievement, potentially shifting the competitive dynamic at the top of the grid.
The Details:
- Championship Standings: Max Verstappen trails championship leader Lando Norris by 12 points. Oscar Piastri is four points behind Verstappen.
- Crucial Scenario: If Verstappen wins the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Norris needs a podium finish (P1, P2, or P3) to secure the world title.
- Team Order Possibility: Should Norris find himself in P4 or lower during the race's final stages, there's a strong chance McLaren could issue team orders for Piastri to assist Norris.
- McLaren's Stance: Norris and Piastri have stated that team orders haven't been formally discussed yet, but it's widely anticipated that Piastri would support his teammate if he's out of title contention himself.
- Verstappen's Perspective: Verstappen, who has largely battled the McLarens solo due to his teammate Yuki Tsunoda's performance, expressed no issue with McLaren using team orders to deny him the title, prioritizing the trophy itself.
- He remarked, "When you're sitting at home 20 years from now, you'll still have that trophy on the cupboard. That's all that matters."
- Qatar Performance: Verstappen noted McLaren's superior car in Qatar, where strategic errors cost them a likely win for Piastri and a podium for Norris. He believes Yas Marina will also suit McLaren well.
- "I don't think I'm saying anything weird when I'm saying they have had the best car," Verstappen explained.
What's next:
The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix is set to be a thrilling conclusion to the season. The focus will be on McLaren's strategy, especially if Norris is not running in a podium position during the latter half of the race. While team orders are a contentious topic, Verstappen's pragmatic view suggests that in the pursuit of a world title, teams will likely leverage every available advantage. The performance of both Red Bull and McLaren, particularly under race pressure, will determine whether Norris can secure his maiden title or if Verstappen can pull off a late-season comeback.