According to Oscar Piastri, his teammate Lando Norris does not receive preferential treatment within McLaren. Following their collision during the Singapore Grand Prix, the team was suspected of favoring the Brit. However, Piastri emphasizes that both drivers are given equal opportunities – and that Norris has felt the ‘consequences’ of his overtaking maneuver in Singapore.
Under the artificial lights of the Marina Bay Street Circuit, Lando Norris had a thunderous start. The Brit successively outsmarted Kimi Antonelli and Oscar Piastri, although there was contact between the two McLaren drivers. The Australian called on the team to intervene, but the papayas did not respond. This is despite the infamous papaya rules stipulating that contact between teammates is a cardinal sin. Piastri eventually missed out on the podium, while Norris further reduced his deficit in the drivers’ championship.
The incident has since been discussed internally, with Norris reportedly taking responsibility for the collision. “I can’t say what the consequences are – that stays within the team,” Piastri explained to the media in Austin. “But it should be clear that he (Norris, ed.) has taken responsibility, and that has had consequences.” The Australian denied that his teammate is favored. “I’m glad there’s no preferential treatment. We’ve had many conversations, and it’s now very clear how we as a team want to race.”
Equal Opportunities
Over the team radio, Piastri suggested that Norris should have given back his position. Should McLaren have intervened according to their own ‘papaya rules’? “In the heat of the battle, it’s hard to judge,” he noted. “We analyzed it calmly afterwards. In the end, I don’t think you can really say what would have been the fairest.”
Finally, Piastri confirmed that he and Norris will continue to race according to the current approach, despite leading the World Championship for some time and Max Verstappen becoming an increasingly significant threat. When asked if he should now be given priority, he replied: “I don’t think so. Every driver wants a fair chance to win a championship. For me, it’s more than fair that we both continue to fight for it. So no, I don’t think that’s the right approach.” Piastri enters the last six races with a 22-point lead over Norris in the World Championship, while reigning champion Max Verstappen is 63 points behind him.
