Lando Norris has made it clear he will not ask McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri to give up a position to help him win the Formula 1 world championship. The 26-year-old Brit enters the Abu Dhabi season finale with a 12-point lead over Max Verstappen and a 16-point lead over Piastri, as all three drivers remain in contention for the title.
With 25 points available for a race win, Norris must finish on the podium at Yas Marina to secure his first F1 championship. However, his title hopes could be at risk if Verstappen wins and Norris finishes outside the top three, such as in fourth place.
If Piastri finds himself ahead of Norris while Verstappen leads, McLaren could theoretically call for team orders. But Norris says he would never request such a favour.
“I’m not going to ask for that. I don’t think it’s fair. It’s up to Oscar — not me,” Norris said on Thursday.
Piastri Still in the Fight — But Needs a Perfect Result
Piastri, 24, still has a mathematical chance at the championship. He needs to win the race and hope Norris finishes sixth or lower. The Australian said the team hasn’t discussed any order-related scenarios yet.
Piastri came close to victory in Qatar, but a questionable McLaren strategy cost him the win, handing Verstappen another crucial result.
Norris Says He Would Help Piastri If Roles Were Reversed
Despite refusing to ask for assistance, Norris said he would personally move aside to help Piastri if their positions were swapped.
“I think I would. That’s just the type of person I am,” he added.
Norris has staged an impressive comeback this season. After sitting 34 points behind Piastri post-Dutch GP, he surged back with podiums in Monza, Singapore, Austin, and big wins in Mexico and Brazil — giving him control of the title race again.
Verstappen Chases History
Max Verstappen, who trailed Piastri by 104 points earlier in the season, has clawed his way back with five wins since the summer break. His simplest path to a fifth straight world championship is to win in Abu Dhabi and hope Norris finishes fourth or lower.
The Dutchman joked about his relaxed mindset heading into the finale:
“I didn’t expect to be in this fight, but here we are. My parents are relaxed — they trust me,” he said.
A championship win would put Verstappen level with Michael Schumacher’s record of five consecutive drivers’ titles.
No Regrets for Norris
Norris says that no matter how the finale plays out, he won’t be disappointed:
“If Max wins, we’ll congratulate him and move on. It doesn’t change my life. He would deserve it.”
With the title battle going down to the wire, McLaren’s final race strategy — and the dynamic between Norris and Piastri — will be under intense scrutiny in Abu Dhabi.
