McLaren Prioritizes Lando Norris in Championship Race, Leaving Verstappen and Piastri Perplexed

McLaren’s team boss, Andrea Stella, announced on Thursday that he intends to prioritize Lando Norris in the drivers’ championship. Oscar Piastri later added that he is willing to assist his teammate as needed. This sudden decision by McLaren has left title rival Max Verstappen somewhat perplexed. “Piastri is closer to Norris than Norris is to me,” he responded.

Verstappen, speaking to the media in Baku, stated, “Of course, McLaren should do what they want, I’m not going to interfere.” He alluded to his own set of issues, referring to Red Bull’s performance slump. The Austrian team has a lot to make up for in the upcoming Azerbaijan Grand Prix. However, the Dutch driver doesn’t quite understand why Lando Norris would be favored.

‘Piastri Doesn’t Want to Be Second Driver’

“If you look at it from Piastri’s perspective, he is closer to Lando Norris than Norris is to me,” he explained. “But they have to deal with that themselves. They (Norris and Piastri) are very close to each other, also in the championship. Piastri is used to being treated as the first driver and I don’t think he is the type who likes to be labeled as the second driver.”

With eight more Grands Prix on the calendar, the gap between championship leader Max Verstappen and Lando Norris is still sixty-two points. Meanwhile, Oscar Piastri only has forty-four points to make up on his teammate. The young Australian is in fourth place in the championship; Charles Leclerc is between the two McLaren drivers with twenty-four points less than Norris.

The Top Four After the Italian Grand Prix:

• Max Verstappen (303 points)
• Lando Norris (241 points)
• Charles Leclerc (217 points)
• Oscar Piastri (197 points)