Oscar Piastri smirks as Lando Norris gets ‘not fair’ question
Oscar Piastri was seen with an eyebrow-raising facial expression as teammate Lando Norris was asked the question on everyone’s mind.
Oscar Piastri smirked as teammate Lando Norris was asked the question on everyone’s mind heading into the F1 championship-deciding Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
The two McLaren drivers and Red Bull rival Max Verstappen held a press conference together ahead of the opening practice session on Friday night (AEDT).
While the blockbuster meeting between the three championship rivals was expected to produce fireworks, it was an earlier response from Mercedes driver George Russell that sent the most sparks flying.
Russell says it wouldn’t be “acceptable or reasonable” for Piastri to be asked to help Norris this weekend.
It is the first time since 2010 that three or more drivers can still win the drivers’ championship heading into the final race of the year.
Norris holds a 12-point lead on four-time champion Verstappen and a 16-point advantage on Piastri.
The gap would be much lower for Piastri had McLaren not ruined his likely race victory with a botched pit strop stratgy at the Qatar Grand Prix.
Russell, who is fourth in the championship, said: “I don’t think it’s acceptable or reasonable to ask a driver who’s also in with a shot of a championship in the very last race to move over for your teammate.
“I think if it were, in other seasons gone by - let’s just say Checo (Sergio Perez) and Max, or (Rubens) Barrichello and (Michael) Schumacher - when clearly one driver is the one going for the championship, and if in the last race, the guy who doesn’t have a shot of winning the championship moves over, that is absolutely reasonable, and I think every single driver would do that.
“But for me, I don’t think it would be fair at all. I think they both need to be given a shot. And if they lose out because of it, you just need to say the other guy did a better job, and that’s racing.
“That’s how it should be.”
Norris was asked if there was a possible scenario during the race where he may ask his team to order Piastri to let him pass.
You can watch the moment in the video player above.
The 26-year-old Briton rejected the idea, while Piastri also said team orders and possible championship implications had not been discussed within the team.
Under its so-called “Papaya Rules”, McLaren will still allow the two drivers to race each other — under strict conditions.
Norris said he would welcome help in certain scenarios, but would not seek it — because it was not how he, personally, felt about it.
Piastri’s smirk during Norris’ answer has been noted by many.
“I don’t think I would ask for it because - and I don’t know — it’s up to Oscar, if he would allow it,” Norris said on Friday morning (AEDT).
“I don’t think it’s necessarily down to me.
“It’s the same if it’s the other way around. Would I be willing to or not? Personally, I think I would — just because I feel like I’m always like that and that’s just how I am.”
The three drivers sat together answering questions of which some focused on the possibility that if Verstappen was leading with Piastri third and Norris fourth, it would mean the Dutchman took his record-equalling fifth consecutive title unless the two McLaren men swapped positions.
“I’m not going to ask it,” he continued.
“I don’t want to ask it because I don’t think it’s necessarily a fair question, but at the same time if that’s how it ends and Max wins, then well. That’s it.
“Congrats to him and look forward to next year. It doesn’t change anything. It doesn’t change my life. He will deserve it over us.”
Verstappen, who has won five of the last eight races, appeared to be the most relaxed of the trio while Norris seemed understandably tense and Piastri, who was deprived of a likely victory by bungled team strategy last weekend in Qatar, composed if edgy.
ESPN also described Piastri’s expression as a “smirk” as Norris subtly put pressure on the 24-year-old Aussie to put the team first.
Piastri was asked a follow up question after Sky Sports presenter Rachel Brookes had earlier asked Norris about the possibility of him requesting team orders.
The smiling Aussie got a laugh out of a couple reporters in the crowded room when he briefly attempted to evade the same question.
“Rachel asked it to Lando,” he said.
“It’s not something we’ve discussed. Until I know what’s kind of accepted, I don’t really have an answer.”
McLaren team chief Andrea Stella said they had no plan to change their approach as they aim to secure the drivers’ title and complete a first double since Mika Hakkinen in 1998.
“I think for us it is important that we are in a condition to beat Verstappen with one of our drivers,” said Stella, having guided the team a second consecutive constructors’ title with months to spare.
Verstappen enjoyed a chance to relax with his baby daughter this week while his rivals were playing golf or simply resting.
“I didn’t expect to be here and in the title fight,” he said. “But here we are! My dad is rallying in Africa and my mum is happy with the dogs.
“Of course, they always support me — my mum always lights a candle before every race. I guess they trust their son,” he added.
— with AFP
Originally published as Oscar Piastri smirks as Lando Norris gets ‘not fair’ question
Ex-F1 supremo tips Max to make McLaren pay for Lando favouritism
