'It is now internally decided': Claim major Oscar Piastri decision made after Lando Norris' 'senseless' blunder
McLaren has "internally decided" to back Australia's Oscar Piastri for the world championship title, according to retired Formula 1 driver Ralf Schumacher.
Michael Schumacher's brother has also delivered a bleak assessment of Lando Norris' driving in the wake of his Canadian Grand Prix crash, stating Piastri's teammate "makes too many mistakes" and describing last week's error as "senseless".
Following the Canadian Grand Prix, in which Norris crashed out after clipping the back of Piastri's car in a battle for fourth place, McLaren boss Andrea Stella said the two drivers would be allowed to continue competing against each other.
READ MORE: Roosters act to stop Bears poaching emerging star
READ MORE: Why rugby prodigy will haul giant stuffed toy across Australia
READ MORE: 'Makes no sense': Tigers called out over 'hurried' hooker call
Schumacher doesn't think that is the case.
"I believe that it is now internally decided that Piastri is the man the team will focus on in terms of the world championship," Schumacher told Sky Deutschland.
Oscar Piastri (left) and Lando Norris. Getty
"Lando shows too many weaknesses and makes too many mistakes, including his senseless driving into the back of Oscar in Canada.
"He has apologised and that shows what a great person he is. But it's no use, because great people rarely win titles."
Piastri is leading the drivers standings on 198 points, ahead of Norris (176 points) in second and Red Bull champion Max Verstappen (155) in third.
There are 14 races remaining in the season, which will continue with the Austrian Grand Prix on the weekend.
Ralf Schumacher. Getty
"This is the low point now because he has lost his nerve a bit," Schumacher said of Norris.
"You have to give him one thing; he was once again faster than Piastri [in Canada]. He didn't manage to do it in qualifying, but in the race he closed the gap and was simply better. He still has the speed, especially in the race."
McLaren is hoping to this year have its first world champion driver since 2008, when a 23-year-old Lewis Hamilton won the first of his seven titles.
Australia hasn't had a Formula 1 world champion since Alan Jones won in 1980.
