Former champion Alan Jones dismisses the theory that Lando Norris is receiving preferential treatment within McLaren. Over the past few months, many fans have speculated that the team would prefer Norris to be world champion over Oscar Piastri. This has led to suggestions that the young Australian has been more frequently victimized by the controversial papaya rules during the season. However, Alan Jones, also an Australian, assures that McLaren offers equal opportunities.
The idea that Norris is being favored is particularly prevalent among Australian Formula 1 fans. The fact that Piastri has performed less well than his British teammate in recent races – excluding crashes – is grist to the mill for these supporters. Alan Jones, the last Australian world champion, refuses to go along with this. In an interview with the Summer Grandstand podcast, he resolutely debunked the theory.
‘Absolute nonsense’
“It’s the biggest nonsense of all time,” Jones responded sharply. “Every season, the same story comes up. Then it’s Mark Webber against Sebastian Vettel, or someone else. It’s always: ‘He has a better car than me’, or: ‘He’s getting preferential treatment.’ It’s absolute nonsense. Teams don’t spend a fortune to disadvantage one car or favor another. I can assure you that both cars are exactly the same.”
McLaren CEO Zak Brown has repeatedly emphasized that both Norris and Piastri are given a fair chance. The American even dares to take the risk that Verstappen will be champion again if it means his drivers are free to race against each other. Jones trusts that Brown is telling the truth. “I know Zak Brown very well,” he concluded. “He’s a good driver and would always give both men equal opportunities.”
