McLaren To Focus On Lando Norris in F1 Title Bid
McLaren has decided to prioritise Lando Norris in the remaining Formula One season as they aim to close the gap to Red Bull's Max Verstappen in the drivers' and constructors' championships.
Norris, currently second in the standings, trails Verstappen by 62 points with eight races left. His teammate Oscar Piastri, who is in fourth place and 106 points behind, has agreed to support this strategy, McLaren team principal Andrea Stella confirmed.
Speaking ahead of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Stella outlined the team's approach, emphasising fairness and sportsmanship while aiming for victory.
"We [will] bias our support to Lando, but we want to do it without too much compromise on our principles," he said. "Sportsmanship for us is important in the overall way we go racing."
Despite this, Stella made it clear that team interests would come first, and both drivers are aligned with the new strategy.
The decision comes after the Italian Grand Prix at Monza, where McLaren's one-two start was disrupted when Piastri overtook Norris early in the race. This allowed Ferrari's Charles Leclerc to slip between the two McLaren cars, which eventually contributed to Norris finishing third.
Piastri, despite being a fierce competitor, has agreed to support Norris if needed.
"Even when I said to Oscar, 'Would you be available to give up a victory?' He said, 'It's painful, but if it's the right thing to do now, I will do it,'" Stella explained.
This shows a level of team spirit that McLaren will lean on in their pursuit of both championships.
McLaren's newfound approach doesn't mean they’ll always favour Norris, but they will make decisions as needed to boost his title chances. However, Norris himself is not seeking unfair advantages.
"Lando wants to win because he deserved the victory on track," Stella said, stressing that both drivers understand the importance of teamwork over individual success.
The constructors' championship is equally tight, with McLaren just eight points behind Red Bull. Stella was careful to highlight that while attention is on Norris and Verstappen in the drivers' battle, McLaren remains focused on the team title as well, with Ferrari trailing close behind.
As McLaren heads into Azerbaijan, this shift in strategy will be put to the test. Stella noted that the approach will be adjusted depending on how the races unfold, ensuring that the team stays competitive without losing sight of their core values. The goal is clear: win, but do it the right way.
