Oscar Piastri has disclosed that he has yet to discuss with McLaren his role in supporting teammate Lando Norris in the battle for the F1 championship. For Sunday’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, three title hopefuls secured the top three qualifying positions: Max Verstappen on pole, followed by Norris in second and Piastri third. Verstappen starts with a 12-point deficit to Norris, and although a win could help the Dutchman, Norris only needs to finish on the podium to secure the title.
To claim the championship, Piastri must win the race or outscore Norris by at least 17 points. Verstappen, starting from pole, is likely to use team tactics to disrupt Norris’s race. In this scenario, Piastri could play a strategic role by either shielding Norris from other drivers or yielding to his teammates if required. However, Piastri admitted that his team role in this title fight is yet to be finalized. “We will talk about it,” he said in an interview with Sky Sports. “We haven’t had any direct discussions yet, but I’m still racing until Max or Lando finish ahead of me. We’ll see what happens tomorrow.”
Despite once holding a 34-point lead over Norris after winning the Dutch Grand Prix, Piastri is currently seen as an underdog in the championship fight. His form dipped after a difficult race in Azerbaijan and he has struggled to keep pace with Norris, finishing fifth in three races since. Although he showed improvement in Qatar, a McLaren strategy error cost him a victory. Ahead of Abu Dhabi, Piastri stated, “I don’t really know yet. I’m not thinking that far ahead. Obviously, winning a championship isn’t just about winning races. We’ll see how it plays out. It’s possible.”
Fan Take: This unfolding drama between McLaren teammates and Verstappen adds a thrilling strategic layer to the championship finale, making every decision crucial. For fans, it’s a captivating glimpse into how teamwork and rivalry balance in the high-stakes world of F1 racing.
