Amid Lando Norris’ title bid against Max Verstappen, the 2024 F1 season has been underlined with talks about McLaren’s intra-team dynamics. Oscar Piastri has explained that while he is open to helping his teammate against the Dutchman, there are limits to how much he is willing to sacrifice for the Briton’s cause.
“But that’s not a blank cheque. It has to make sense for me to let him by,” he said as quoted by Auto Motor und Sport. While Piastri agrees that Norris has the most realistic chance at winning the drivers’ title, he highlighted how the Constructors’ championship is also a priority for the team and will influence team orders.
He said, “The team wants to win both championships. If you have the opportunity to do so, you can’t let it pass you by.” As things stand, the Woking-based team has a 41-point advantage over Red Bull with six races to go.
Lando Norris makes team orders stance crystal clear after Oscar Piastri message sent:
– After Oscar Piastri made it clear he is no “blank cheque,” Lando Norris emphasized that his goal is to win the F1 World Championship “in a deserving way.”
– Norris has emerged as a strong… pic.twitter.com/M6cjzN3Snp
— This is Formula 1 (@ThisIsFormu1a1) October 6, 2024
After the 2024 Italian GP, where Piastri denied Norris his third F1 win, McLaren had publicly backed the Briton for the drivers’ title. The team explained that Piastri was now ready to help the #4 driver win the championship against Verstappen.
However, the 2024 Azerbaijan GP showed that when required the team would prioritize the driver who was leading the other on merit. After Norris’ shock Q1 exit on the Baku Street Circuit, the Briton was asked to hold up Sergio Perez in the race — leading to Piastri bagging his second Grand Prix win in an impressive fashion.
Norris doesn’t want Piastri to just let him by
While a lot has been made about the rivalry between Norris and Piastri, as far as team orders are concerned, the duo seem to be on the same page. When quizzed about his views, the 24-year-old seemed to echo the sentiments of his Australian teammate.
Norris explained that he wants to win the title this year on merit, and not because his teammate helped him on the way. “I don’t want to go five years down the line and go, ‘I only won because people let me pass and this happened and that,” he told Sky F1. Norris remains adamant that he wants “to win in a deserving way.”
DRIVER STANDINGS (after 18/24 rounds)
The gap between the top two narrows to 52 points #F1 #SingaporeGP pic.twitter.com/MfpZSQcUmE
— Formula 1 (@F1) September 22, 2024
Verstappen currently holds a 52-point advantage over the Briton in the standings. Meanwhile, Piastri finds himself closer to Norris with a 42-point deficit. With only six races left, the #4 driver still has a steep climb to win his maiden F1 title and he may have to use his teammate’s help as much as possible.
