The reigning Driver’s Cup Champion, Max Verstappen, is desperate for an F1 victory. His last win came in Barcelona, which was eight races ago. Since then, the Dutchman has been aside character, a rare F1 phenomenon for the last couple of seasons. Meanwhile, McLaren has dominated the circuit with its precise upgrade packages and mini DRS system. As a result, Red Bull is no longer the front-runner for the Constructors Cup.
On the other hand, Lando Norris is actively chasing Max Verstappen. With six rounds to go, Norris is trailing by 52-point. Therefore, the Pappay squad has released team orders for Oscar Piastri to assist his teammate in winning the Drivers Cup. However, Max Verstappen has tried to fuel a rift between the Mclaren drivers, as he is under pressure. In a recent media interaction, Verstappen tried to play with Oscar Piastri’s mind with a cheeky assessment of McLaren’s team order.
Max Verstappen Tries To Rile Up McLaren’s Driver Lineup
The Red Bull triple champion is witnessing a downturn as his team took several missteps. Subsequently, he saw Lando Norris cut down his lead, and now the two sit 52 points apart. Therefore, the pressure is mounting, as the Dutchman might miss out on winning his fourth consecutive WDC trophy. Recently, he assessed Mclaren’s current situation and said a driver of Piastri’s caliber shouldn’t be forced to assist his teammate.
Speaking to Autosport, the 26-year-old racer firmly stated that Oscar Piastri is not a number two driver. Further, Verstappen affirmed that he would have never accepted such orders if he were in Piastri’s place. However, he acknowledged that it’s difficult for a driver in just his second season to turn down team orders. Still, the Dutchman believes the Australian racer has immense potential and is far more than just being a second fiddle. Therefore, Piastri should not give up on wins and podiums just for the sake of team orders.
While Verstappen shared his thoughts about the situation, F1 fans believe it was a cheeky way to get into a youngster’s mind. If Piastri denies obeying the team orders, Verstappen would benefit from the intra-McLaren competition.
“I Need To Do A Better Job,” Lando Norris Doesn’t Want To Rely On Team Orders For WDC Trophy
Lando Norris recently shared his perspective on winning in Formula 1, clarifying that he values earning victories through hard work and fair competition. He stated that if another driver outperforms him, it’s a sign that he needs to step up his game rather than benefiting from their misfortune. Norris emphasized that he didn’t want to win a championship simply because circumstances handed it to him.
While securing a title might feel incredible in the short term, Norris believes true pride comes from knowing that he earned it by outperforming top competitors like Max Verstappen. For him, the ultimate goal is to win by proving his ability on the track, showcasing that he’s the best by directly beating his rivals. This mindset reflects his determination to achieve success through merit, not shortcuts.
