Source – Formula1.com
Oscar Piastri has committed to supporting teammate Lando Norris for the duration of the 2024 season in the event that things go wrong, as McLaren looks to defeat Max Verstappen and Red Bull to win both world titles.
After a dominant start to the 2024 Formula 1 season, Red Bull appeared untouchable, but the tables have turned as McLaren, led by the ever-improving Lando Norris, has emerged as a genuine title contender. Effective updates and consistent form have propelled McLaren to within just eight points of Red Bull in the Constructors’ Championship, with Norris closing the gap to 62 points behind Max Verstappen in the drivers’ standings. However, the competitive edge within McLaren’s own garage came into sharp focus during the Italian Grand Prix, where Oscar Piastri’s bold move on the opening lap led to internal discussions about team dynamics and strategy.
At Monza, Piastri dramatically overtook Norris at the start, sparking a spotlight on McLaren’s so-called ‘papaya rules.’ Despite the overtake, McLaren’s Andrea Stella revealed that internal talks took place between Monza and the upcoming Azerbaijan Grand Prix to clarify team orders and the role each driver will play moving forward. Both Norris and Piastri were candid as they faced the media in Baku, offering insight into these discussions and the strategies that will shape their final push in the 2024 season.
Piastri, while eager to chase his own results, confirmed that he is prepared to play a supportive role if needed. He emphasized that while it’s never easy for a driver to agree to support their teammate, he recognizes the bigger picture and the team’s goal of maximizing points. “The team have asked me to help out, and I’ve said for the last few races that if I was asked, I would,” Piastri shared. “Naturally, as a driver, it’s not an easy thing to agree to, but I understand that there’s a much bigger picture than just myself.” The Australian rookie is determined to continue scoring points, both for himself and the team, and if helping Norris in the title fight is part of that, he’s ready to step up.
As for the upcoming race in Baku, Piastri acknowledged that if a similar situation to Monza arises—where the two McLaren drivers lock out the front row—things would play out differently this time. He reflected on the incident at Monza, where McLaren held first and third after the second chicane, noting that while his move put him in a race-winning position, it was ultimately Ferrari’s bold strategy that dictated the outcome. He denied breaking any team prioritization agreement in Italy, but hinted that future races may require a more cooperative approach between him and Norris, depending on race circumstances.
Norris, on the other hand, openly discussed how McLaren’s strategy gives him a stronger chance of challenging Verstappen for the title. He expressed his gratitude for the team’s support but was quick to point out that the benefits extend beyond his personal ambitions. “It’s giving me a better chance to challenge Verstappen, which is the whole reasoning for doing it. But it’s not just about me—it will benefit the team as well,” he said. For Norris, clarity is key. Knowing where the boundaries are when racing, understanding how far he can push, and having defined team orders will make the battles on track less chaotic and more focused on the end goal.
However, implementing such team orders is far from straightforward. Norris was empathetic to Piastri’s championship ambitions, understanding that the young driver has every reason to fight for his own success. The British driver was careful to emphasize fairness, acknowledging that winning on fair terms is essential. “You want to win it fair, and in any sport, once you’ve done something that you know is not fair, that stays in your mind forever. That’s not how I work, and it’s not how McLaren works,” Norris explained.
As McLaren pushes forward, balancing both drivers’ ambitions will be crucial. While Piastri is prepared to assist Norris in the title battle, there’s no doubt that both drivers will be eager to prove themselves on track. McLaren’s resurgence has reignited the championship fight, and with a clear strategy now in place, the team is ready to take the fight to Verstappen and Red Bull in the closing rounds of the season.
