Reigning World Champion Max Verstappen has advised fellow driver Oscar Piastri to “never accept” McLaren team orders ahead of this weekend’s United States Grand Prix.
The backdrop to the Dutchman’s comments is the controversial decision to impose McLaren team orders that prioritize Lando Norris over Piastri as the season approaches its critical last phase.
After a contentious Italian GP where the team papaya drivers were involved in a tactical misstep that cost them a potential one-two finish, team principal Andrea Stella announced that the Australian would now be supporting his teammate in his bid to challenge Verstappen for the drivers’ championship.
Heading into the United States Grand Prix, Verstappen holds a 52-point lead in the standings ahead of Norris while Piastri currently sits fourth, 42 points behind his team-mate.
While the points difference is quite substantial ahead of the Circuit of the Americas, Red Bull has been trailing their British rivals since the Hungarian GP, when they started to struggle with setup and balance.
The struggles have put Verstappen in an untenable situation where he must battle for each point as if it were a victory in order to make sure Norris cannot catch him by the end of the season.
When questioned about his opinion on McLaren team orders in an interview with Motorsport.com the 26-year old stated Oscar Piastri was “too good” to play a supporting role and shouldn’t have accepted it.
“For me, he’s definitely not a [number two driver] and if I was him I would never accept it,” Verstappen said. “It’s easy to talk, of course, because I’ve been in Formula 1 for 10 years and it’s Oscar’s second season, so it is always harder to put your foot down.
“But he’s just a great F1 driver who doesn’t deserve it to give up wins and positions and play second fiddle because he’s asked to.”
While the validity of the McLaren team orders have not yet been proven, Norris has stated that he does not want to win his first title by virtue of team orders, presumably implying that he will not be calling for Piastri to give up the lead on the final lap.
“If a driver is doing better than me and performing, I need to do a better job, so I wouldn’t want to take that away from someone,” Norris said. “I also don’t want to be given a championship.
“Yes, it would be great to have a championship, and on the short term you feel amazing, but I don’t think you’d be proud of that in the long run. I want to win it by beating Max, beating my competitors, and proving that I’m the best on track.”
With six races remaining ahead of the 2024 United States Grand Prix, McLaren is currently the favorite to win the constructors’ championship after Norris’ impressive achievements.
However, Piastri should not be overlooked as he has solidly supported his Woking teammate – who has three wins and eleven podiums – with his two victories, seven podiums, and twelve top four finishes through the season.
Verstappen commended the Woking outfit for its swift progress over the last 18 months and admitted the Piastri-Norris was the best driver line-up among Red Bull’s rivals.
“Yes, because they are closely matched and because they are both quick,” he said. “McLaren has really put the right people in the right place, people that were already working at the team.
“The people there aren’t all new hires, apart from people like [former Red Bull designer] Rob Marshall. But some staff have been given new roles, and you can see how quickly that can have an impact.”
Piastri’s situation is particularly nuanced given his rookie status in Formula 1. As he navigates his first season with McLaren, he faces immense pressure not only to perform but also to adapt to the team’s strategic decisions.
While supporting Norris may seem like a prudent choice for McLaren as they aim for points in the constructors’ championship, it raises questions about Piastri’s development as a driver.
The young Australian has shown considerable promise throughout the season, and many fans and analysts believe he deserves an opportunity to compete independently rather than being tethered to another driver’s success.
As the season progresses towards its conclusion, with several races remaining, ‘McLaren team orders’ will undoubtedly be tested on track. The dynamics between Norris and Piastri will be closely watched by fans and commentators alike.
Should Piastri excel despite being asked to support Norris, it could bolster his reputation and potentially lead to greater opportunities in future seasons. Conversely, if he struggles under the imposed conditions, it may hinder his development and affect how he is perceived within the sport.
Moreover, Verstappen’s intervention could be seen as part of a broader psychological game played among drivers as they vie for supremacy on the grid. The mental aspect of racing is as critical as physical performance; therefore, his advice could serve as an encouragement or a mind game for Piastri.
Besides the interpersonal dynamics, there are larger implications for McLaren as a team. Historically, teams that impose strict orders often face backlash from fans who prefer watching fierce competition among drivers rather than orchestrated outcomes.
McLaren has not won a drivers’ championship since Lewis Hamilton’s triumph in 2008; thus, their current strategy might be seen as an attempt to reclaim past glory through tactical maneuvers rather than fostering individual talent.
As this narrative unfolds leading up to upcoming races like the United States Grand Prix, it will be fascinating to see how both drivers respond to these challenges. Will Norris thrive under the pressure of being the team’s focal point? Can Piastri carve out his own path despite team expectations?
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