Verstappen sides with Piastri after unthinkable McLaren request to stack the championship battle
Updated . First published
Max Verstappen has praised McLaren's decision to not implement their proposed plan to help Lando Norris in the title chase, declaring there is no reason that the team should be preventing Oscar Piastri from contesting for the title.
The world drivers' championship has been narrowed down to three contenders, with the two McLaren drivers sitting just in front of the Red Bull star on the standings.
But Norris could secure the title as soon as this week in Qatar - and McLaren were prepared to do whatever it takes to ensure he would do so.
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However, their plan to help the British driver was rejected by his teammate, Piastri.
McLaren had previously assured their drivers equal status, but the late revival of Verstappen has threatened the team's chances of a comfortable victory.
Piastri made it clear that he was not going to let his chance of winning the world drivers' championship be blocked by anyone as he turned down the team's proposal to see him assist Norris to win the championship.
Race winner Oscar Piastri and second placed Max Verstappen interact in the pitlane after the Dutch Grand Prix. LAT Images
Verstappen was not surprised to learn about the proposal.
"You can't do a better job than just allowing them to race, because why would you suddenly now say that Oscar wouldn't be allowed to race him anymore," he said.
"If you're a real race winner and a racer, as a driver, then you go for it, even if you are behind.
"If that was said to me, I would have not rocked up. I would have told him to 'f--- off'. I mean, what is the point in turning up? You can just easily label yourself as the number two driver, which I think (Piastri) doesn't want to be.
"I know that I am equal on points with Oscar and a lot still needs to go right, but I think it should be like that ... we can make it a great battle until the end."
Oscar Piastri talks to his team in the McLaren garage. Formula 1 via Getty Images
Piastri's form has sparked alarm recently. He has not finished ahead of Norris or Verstappen in any grand prix or sprint race since he won the Dutch Grand Prix in August.
At that point in the season, Piastri led the championship by 34 points.
His downfall since that race that led F1 expert Cameron Van Den Dungen to declare that Piastri "is not a contender" unless "something magical happens."
"In six races he has not been on the podium," he told SEN.
"He is about the fifth fastest on the grid. I am not seeing the speed from him."
Still, Piastri has not lost hope that he can win the championship.
"We've had a very brief discussion on (Norris' case), and the answer is no," he said.
"I'm still equal on points with Max and I've got a decent shot of still winning it.
Oscar Piastri of Australia leads Lando Norris of Great Britain during the F1 Grand Prix of Netherlands at Circuit Zandvoort. Getty
"It's played out that way a couple times before. I know it's not impossible. Obviously, I also know that it's a bit of an outside shot.
"I can't just rely on having a perfect final two weekends ... I need other things to go my way, and I'm very aware of that.
"I'm just going to try and have the best weekends I can, which I try and do every weekend, and see what happens to everyone else."
Ferrari and Mercedes, while not in the drivers' championship race, are set to face off in hopes of securing the spot behind McLaren on the constructors' standings.
The threat of those drivers impacting his race plan, did not bother Piastri.
"Regardless of what the championship picture looks like for others, everyone is going out there to try and fight for wins and podiums," Piastri said.
"So I don't expect anyone to make life easy."
