Oscar Piastri has made it clear that he is not interested in playing second fiddle to his McLaren teammate, Lando Norris, in the fight for the 2025 Formula 1 World Championship. With just two races remaining, the title race is incredibly tight, with Norris leading Piastri and Max Verstappen, who are tied on points, by 24 points.
The McLaren duo recently faced disqualification from the Las Vegas Grand Prix due to a technical infringement concerning excessive plank wear on their cars. This shocking turn of events significantly impacted the championship standings. Despite the setback, Norris insists that McLaren can still afford to take risks with the ride height of their cars.
Piastri, while acknowledging that the title is no longer solely in his control, remains determined to fight for every point. "I think the title is still possible but it's obviously now in the position where I can't just win it by winning races," Piastri stated after the Las Vegas race. He recognizes that he needs external factors to work in his favor to secure the championship.
When asked directly about the possibility of assisting Norris, Piastri's response was firm: "We've had a very brief discussion on it and the answer is 'no',". He believes he still has a "decent shot" at winning the title himself, especially considering he is currently equal on points with Verstappen.
Piastri's confidence stems from his strong performances throughout the season, including six victories. He aims to have the best possible weekends in the final two races and capitalize on any opportunities that may arise. "Even if I have a perfect final two weekends, I can't just rely on that. I need other things to go my way and I'm very aware of that," he admitted.
Norris, meanwhile, is approaching the final races with a blend of confidence and determination. He is ready to push himself and the car to the limit, acknowledging the constant threat from Red Bull and Verstappen. Despite the disqualification in Las Vegas, Norris believes the team can still take risks to maximize performance.
The dynamic within McLaren is undoubtedly intriguing. While teamwork is essential in Formula 1, both Piastri and Norris are fiercely competitive individuals with their own aspirations for the championship. McLaren has dominated this season with six one-two finishes in 13 races. The team has scored 516 points, which puts them 268 points ahead of Ferrari. With Piastri unwilling to concede the title to Norris, the final two races promise to be an intense battle, both on and off the track. The Qatar Grand Prix will feature the final sprint race of the season before Formula 1 heads to Abu Dhabi for the season finale.
