Norris rejects idea of team loyalty before Formula 1 title showdon

AFP | Abu Dhabi

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Lando Norris yesterday rejected the idea of asking title rival and McLaren team-mate Oscar Piastri to support him this weekend in the decisive season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix even if it is the only way he can beat Red Bull’s Max Verstappen to the title.

The 26-year-old Briton, who holds a 12-point lead on fourtime champion Verstappen and a 16-point advantage on Piastri, said he would welcome help in certain scenarios, but would not seek it -- because it was not how he, personally, felt about it.

He and Piastri made clear that McLaren had not discussed team orders for the race and would continue racing under ‘papaya rules’ that encourage them to race each other with equal team backing.

“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 told reporters before Sunday’s showdown.

“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.”

‘ Not a fair question’

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.

“It’s not something we’ve discussed,” said the 24-year-old Australian, bidding to be his country’s first champion since Alan Jones in 1980.