Oscar Piastri has clarified that he will not automatically defer to his McLaren teammate Lando Norris in every remaining race of the 2023 Formula 1 season, despite the team’s decision to implement team orders in support of Norris’s title bid.
Speaking to reporters ahead of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Piastri acknowledged the principle of assisting Norris to bolster both his and the team’s standings. However, he emphasized that he would retain the freedom to compete against Norris in certain races and circumstances.
“It’s not going to be a case of me pulling over for Lando at every single race,” Piastri stated. “That’s not how any of us, including Lando, want to go racing.”
Piastri explained that the team would need to carefully consider each scenario and reward the driver who had performed better on a given weekend. He stressed that the team’s goal was not to simply prioritize Norris in every decision but to maintain a balance that would benefit both drivers and the team as a whole.
“We’re not leading the constructors’ championship, so we need to make sure we win that,” Piastri said. “It’s important we maintain that kind of trust.”
McLaren team principal Andrea Stella had previously announced that the team would employ team orders in specific situations to support Norris’s pursuit of the drivers’ championship. Norris currently trails reigning champion Max Verstappen by 62 points.
Piastri acknowledged that team orders could be challenging for drivers, but he recognized the broader context and the team’s objectives.
“I race for a team that’s given me my opportunity in F1 and a team that has given me the opportunity to win races within 18 months of being here,” Piastri said. “I have a lot of gratitude for that. The bigger picture is about more than just me.”
Piastri emphasized the team’s goal of winning both the drivers’ and constructors’ championships, acknowledging that such an achievement would be a significant milestone for McLaren.
