Oscar Piastri has repeated that he is willing to help McLaren team-mate Lando Norris‘ Formula 1 title bid, but he has warned his assistance won’t be a “blank cheque”.
McLaren announced last month that the team would prioritise Norris’ individual prospects over the remaining rounds as the team endeavours to secure a title double.
The Woking-based squad had held a reluctance to impose such a measure until Piastri’s overtake on the opening lap at Monza contributed to it losing a win to Ferrari.
But while Piastri reacted to that call with a stunning win in Baku, Norris consolidated his credentials as McLaren’s best bet in 2024 with a dominant drive in Singapore.
The Briton goes into the closing six events – which also includes three Sprint races, beginning in the United States later this month – 52 points behind Max Verstappen.
Piastri has reiterated that he is prepared to assist Norris in closing down that huge deficit, but he has insisted that his adherence won’t extend to unreasonable orders.
“The team wants to win both championships. If you have the opportunity to do so, you can’t let it pass you by,” Piastri told Auto Motor und Sport.
“If I’m only thinking about myself, I don’t like team orders against me. No driver likes that. For your pride, you want to show that you are the fastest driver on the track.
“Nevertheless, I will help Lando in the final races if I am asked. He has the more realistic chance of winning the title.
“But that’s not a blank cheque. It has to make sense for me to let him by.”
Piastri explains stance on team orders
Piastri has explained that his stance on team orders derives from wanting to avoid compromising McLaren’s chances at taking its first Constructors’ title since 1998.
McLaren’s double podium in Singapore saw the team extend its advantage to 41 points over reigning champions Red Bull, which hasn’t won over the past eight races.
“We also want to win the Constructors’ Championship and sacrificing my race to help Lando won’t help us achieve that goal,” the Australian highlighted.
“We will decide on a case-by-case basis.”
Piastri also pointed to Norris’ integral role in his latest F1 success in Azerbaijan as a demonstration of how the two McLaren drivers have worked to benefit the team.
“Baku showed how we do things at McLaren,” he added. “If Lando hadn’t stopped [Sergio] Perez after the first pit stop, I might not have won. He has a share in my victory.”
READ MORE: Lando Norris hasn’t ‘lost points’ due to McLaren delay on F1 team orders
Discussion about this post