Verstappen Unsure of Piastri's Reaction to Potential McLaren Team Orders
Max Verstappen is unsure how Oscar Piastri would react to potential team orders from McLaren to help Lando Norris win the F1 title in Abu Dhabi. With Norris leading Verstappen by 12 points and Piastri trailing, McLaren may face a difficult decision. Norris would "love" team orders but won't ask, while Piastri admits he won't know his reaction until the moment. Verstappen, despite the high stakes, remains "very relaxed," viewing his title fight as a bonus after a strong second half of the season.
Max Verstappen admits he cannot predict how Oscar Piastri would react if McLaren imposes team orders to aid Lando Norris in the upcoming Abu Dhabi title decider. With Norris holding a 12-point lead over Verstappen and Piastri a further four points behind, the scenario of Piastri supporting Norris against Verstappen is a real possibility, though Piastri himself says he won't know his reaction until the moment arrives.
Why it matters:
McLaren's handling of team orders in a tight three-way championship battle involving their own drivers and Max Verstappen could define the 2025 F1 season's outcome. If Piastri is asked to sacrifice his race, his response will be critical, potentially influencing not only the championship but also the team's dynamics and his future relationship with Norris and the team. This situation adds a layer of strategic intrigue to an already high-stakes finale.
The Details:
- Championship Standings: Lando Norris leads the standings with a 12-point advantage over Max Verstappen. Oscar Piastri is in third, four points behind Verstappen.
- Team Order Scenario: Given the points gap, Piastri would likely be the driver facing team orders if McLaren opts to support Norris in his bid for the title. However, if Norris maintains a top-three position, the title is his regardless of where Verstappen and Piastri finish.
- Drivers' Views:
- Lando Norris: Expressed he would "love it" if team orders were issued but stated he wouldn't ask for them, deeming it "not necessarily a fair question."
- Oscar Piastri: Conceded uncertainty about his reaction, stating, "Until I know what's expected, I don't really have an answer."
- Max Verstappen: Dismissed the ability to predict Piastri's actions, telling Dutch media, "It's impossible to predict that in advance. I can't look inside [Oscar's] head after everything that happened this season, so I really don't know."
- Verstappen's Mindset: Despite the championship pressure, Verstappen claims to be "very relaxed," viewing the current fight as a "bonus" after a mid-season slump where he was 104 points off the pace following the Dutch Grand Prix. His strong second half of the season, including nine podiums and five wins, has brought him back into contention.
The big picture:
The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix is set to be a dramatic conclusion to the 2025 F1 season. The championship, which seemed out of reach for Verstappen at one point, has become a three-way battle. The potential for team orders at McLaren adds another layer of complexity and high drama. Verstappen's calm approach, contrasted with the internal dynamics McLaren might face, sets the stage for a thrilling and unpredictable finale where strategy and driver psychology will be as crucial as raw pace.
What's next:
The focus now shifts to Abu Dhabi, where qualifying and race strategy will be paramount. McLaren's management will have to decide whether to implement team orders and how to communicate them, while Norris and Piastri navigate their roles. Verstappen, meanwhile, will aim to maximize his performance, acknowledging that the ultimate outcome might not be entirely within his control. The race will not only determine the 2025 F1 champion but also provide a crucial insight into team dynamics under extreme pressure.