LANDO NORRIS says he would move aside if he were in Oscar Piastri’s position as McLaren’s team orders reach boiling point.
Meanwhile, Mercedes’ George Russell says he would not want to be handed an F1 title by a teammate and joked that Piastri should “unplug his radio”.
The F1 season reaches its crescendo in a blockbuster finale this weekend in Abu Dhabi with THREE drivers still in contention to snatch the crown.
Norris leads the championship on 408 points, 12 ahead of Red Bull’s Max Verstappen and 16 in front of his McLaren teammate Piastri.
McLaren have maintained their ‘free-to-race’ approach for their drivers even as Verstappen hunts down a fifth consecutive crown.
There is a scenario in which Piastri could be the one thing in the way of Norris securing his first ever world title.
If Verstappen finishes first and Norris finishes fourth or lower the Dutchman will win the driver’s title.
In that scenario if Piastri was running in third the only thing needed for Norris to snatch the crown would be for the Aussie to move aside and let him past.
When this was put to Norris, he said: “No. It hasn’t been discussed. Honestly, I would love it. But I don’t think I would ask it because.. I don’t know.
“It’s up to Oscar if he would allow it. I don’t think it’s necessarily down to me.
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“It’s the same if it was the other way around. Would I be willing or not?
“Personally I think I would because I feel like I’m always like that and that’s how I am. It’s not really up to me.
“I don’t want to ask it because I don’t think it’s necessarily a fair question. If that’s how it ends and Max wins, then, that’s it. Congrats to him and we look forward to next year.
“It doesn’t change anything. It doesn’t change my life. He would deserve it over us.”
When this situation was put to Piastri, he replied: “It is not something we have discussed. Until I know what’s kind of expected, I don’t have an answer until I know what is expected of me.”
British Mercedes driver Russell could have a huge say in the title if he is wedged between the two McLarens.
He said: “It’s probably easiest to unplug the radio.
“I think it would be unfair for either driver … if Max wins, he deserves the win.
“If they’re in the position [where] Max is on course to win and Oscar, can allow Lando [through] …I wouldn’t want to win a championship because my team-mate pulled over, especially if he’s been my rival that year, I think you’ve got to accept this is just another race.”
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