Oscar Piastri Declines to Aid Lando Norris in Title Chase

Oscar Piastri has firmly stated that he will not assist his McLaren teammate, Lando Norris, in his pursuit of the world championship against Red Bull’s Max Verstappen. With only two races remaining, Norris leads the championship standings with 58 points available, while Verstappen is aggressively closing the gap after a recent victory in Las Vegas.

Norris currently holds a 24-point advantage over Verstappen, who has surged back into contention after winning his fourth race since the summer break. Verstappen’s recent success, combined with Norris’ disqualification in Las Vegas due to a technical infringement, has intensified the competition as the season approaches its final rounds.

Piastri, who was also disqualified in Las Vegas, remains in the title conversation but has struggled with form, having not finished ahead of Norris since the Dutch Grand Prix on August 27. When asked if he would consider supporting Norris, Piastri made it clear: “We’ve had a very brief discussion on it and the answer is ‘no’. I’m still equal on points with Max and I’ve got a decent shot of still winning it if things go my way, and that’s how we’ll play it.”

Verstappen, a four-time world champion, endorsed McLaren’s decision to allow both drivers to compete freely. He stated, “It’s perfect. You can’t do a better job than allowing them to race.” He emphasized the importance of competition among teammates, adding, “If you are a winner and a racer you go for it. What is the point of turning up otherwise?”

Despite the recent setback in Las Vegas, where Norris was disqualified due to a minor technical violation involving the skid block of his car, he remains optimistic. “The gap (to Piastri) before Las Vegas was 24 points and it is still 24, so nothing needs to change,” he noted.

As the championship race heads into the Qatar Grand Prix this weekend, Norris is aware of the need to maintain his focus. “We have treated Max as a threat all year, even when he was further behind in the championship,” he explained. “We expect Red Bull to be quick here and next weekend, too.”

The upcoming Qatar Grand Prix, scheduled for this weekend, will be crucial for Norris. If he can outscore both Verstappen and Piastri by two points, he will secure the championship title with a round to spare ahead of the final race in Abu Dhabi.

Norris expressed his disappointment over the Las Vegas disqualification, acknowledging the effort that goes into each race weekend. “Everyone at McLaren feels let down, and we are disappointed, but I found it easy to move on.”

With the stakes high and the pressure mounting, both Norris and Piastri are set for a dramatic finish to the season. The dynamics within McLaren, coupled with Verstappen’s fierce competitiveness, promise an exciting conclusion to the championship race.