Former world champion Jacques Villeneuve has expressed criticism over McLaren’s handling of team orders and the concept of a ‘lead driver’. The team announced on Thursday that they indeed want to support Lando Norris in the fight for the title, but there are limits to what Oscar Piastri can and cannot do to let his teammate win. “Sad,” thinks Villeneuve, who urges McLaren to fully support Norris.
There has been much discussion in recent weeks about the so-called ‘papaya rules’, or the strategic team orders of McLaren. The drivers were treated the same for a long time, much to the annoyance of many experts. Lando Norris – who is only sixty-two points away from Max Verstappen – is fighting for the championship. This week, team boss Andrea Stella admitted that Oscar Piastri will put more effort into his teammate’s title, although he still doesn’t have to let Norris win.
Former World Champion Jacques Villeneuve Criticizes McLaren’s Strategy
Former world champion Jacques Villeneuve is far from impressed with McLaren’s strategy. “It starts with ‘papaya’, which doesn’t sound particularly tough, does it?” Villeneuve begins his story on Sky Sports. “I don’t want to be too harsh, but I just find it a bit sad. This is Formula 1, the pinnacle of motorsport!”
Does McLaren Even Want to Win?
Villeneuve believes that McLaren projects too soft an image. “If I were a McLaren fan, I would be angry,” he continues. “Do they even want to win? It doesn’t sound like they’re really striving for that. Lando Norris was the better of Piastri in the first half of the season, he’s the one with a chance to win. You’re supposed to play by those rules. The fact that they’re driving by their own rules is really strange.”
When asked when McLaren should have favored Norris, Villeneuve replies: “Hungary! Psychologically, Lando has lost his momentum. This is Formula 1, you’re here to win,” concludes the Canadian. Norris was leading at the Hungaroring, but had to give up the victory to his teammate; according to McLaren, Piastri was the rightful winner. That trick cost Lando Norris seven World Championship points.
