BAKU, SEPT 13 – McLaren is set to favor Lando Norris over team-mate Oscar Piastri in the remaining eight Formula 1 (F1) races of the season, after Norris’ title chances were slightly damaged by losing the lead to Piastri in the race in Italy .
Norris enters the Azerbaijan Grand Prix weekend 62 points behind championship leader Max Verstappen, but carries more positive momentum.
Verstappen is now six races without a win as he struggles with a Red Bull car he described as a ‘monster’.
“We don’t classify it as number one and two and I don’t think we will. But in terms of our process, there is a tendency to help me,” Norris said yesterday.
Norris started the final race in Italy from pole position but was overtaken by Piastri, opening the way for Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc to overtake Norris for second place. Leclerc ended up winning the race, with Piastri in second and Norris in third.
While there are limitations on how far Piastri is expected to help Norris, Norris insists he does not want to be ‘given’ the title, but further details remain unclear.
“The second and third positions (like in Monza) will probably be changed. In general, he will help me probably for a lower position. But if he fights to win and deserves to win, he deserves to win,” added Norris. – AP
