#also mclaren sacrificing oscar piastri to help norris

[aaliyahhves]

Maybe it's just me but I'm getting major flashbacks to 2022 with this Ferrari . We started the season on a high note same as 2022 , getting even 1-2 , we were right there in the championship fight during the first few races but then suddenly everything starts going wrong . Disaster strategy calls , tp blaming drivers , leclerc gets sacrificed while the rivals thrive on our downfall . Hopefully this was just bad luck before summer break , I want our drivers to be up there fighting the Mclarens and Mercedes too .

This triple header has been such a bad experience as a Ferrari fan , it's like we're nowhere in the fight , we've lost big points and even today , after charles made up places right in the beginning, a bad strategy call puts him in the bottom 5 out of points , out of championship fight .

[astonmartinii]

kiss it better | oscar piastri social media au

pairing: oscar piastri x first responder!reader when oscar crashes into the barrier at monza, he thinks he sees his guardian angel, in reality he's just got a concussion and that's a first responder, but it's the thought that counts.

f1

liked by arthurleclerc, liamlawson and 1,206,700 others

tagged: oscarpiastri

f1: woah. huge shunt for oscar piastri in turn three. the australian was pulled out of the car by first responders and is getting treatment. red flag for now.

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user1: omg like my breath was completely gone, i hope oscar is okay

user2: holy shit that's the worst crash i've ever seen i'm so glad they aren't replaying it

user3: i tuned in late and i knew as soon as they didn't replay it it had to be bad

user4: thank the lord for the first responders, they were so fast i hope oscar is good

user5: i'm gonna need netflix to take the backseat on this one i can't take the dramatic editing this is already stressful enough

user6: the grosjean crash was bad enough, i can't deal with it with oscar

user7: are there any updates yet?

user8: not yet.

user9: i'm sat in the grandstand right where this was and it was literally so scary, the first responders literally had to jump on the car

user10: so so lucky that they were stationed so close to where he crashed

oscarpiastri

liked by landonorris, yourusername and 1,309,761 others

tagged: yourusername

oscarpiastri: first of all i'd like to thank everyone for their support and well wishes, i really appreciate it. it's actually thanks to y/n and the rest of the first responders that i'm back on my feet as fast as i am. big thank you to y/n for sacrificing her ability to shower comfortably to help me out of the car and avoid the flames, i am eternally grateful and mama piastri would like you over for dinner to thank you.

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user9: i'm so so happy he's okay, that crash was so scary

landonorris: glad to hear you're okay mate !

oscarpiastri: you can't get rid of me that easily norris

landonorris: woah, no joking about dying when you've only been discharged for 24 hours

oscarpiastri: sorry, skipped over that one in my contract

danielricciardo: make sure you always read that mclaren contract carefully

user11: thank you y/n for your service

user12: for real she put her leg on the line for oscar she needs a raise

yourusername: it was my pleasure to do my job and help you out oscar. and i'll always take up an offer for a mum's dinner

oscarpiastri: she'll be very happy to hear that

yourusername: text me the details and i'll be there

user13: it's so crazy to me how f1 drivers just get up and walk out of crashes like that

user14: no for real how is the medic more injured than him 😭

logansargent: you are so lucky there were no cameras when you were on painkillers cause you were talking some shit

oscarpiastri: please don't remind me

logansargent: just because there weren't cameras in the room doesn't mean i didn't record you, i look forward to my birthday present this year

oscarpiastri: you wouldn't

logansargent: you wanna bet?

user15: so like how bad do we think what oscar said was?

user16: and how much do we need to pay logan to release it?

mclaren

liked by oscarpiastri, yourusername and 609,778 others

tagged: landonorris, oscarpiastri & yourusername

mclaren: after her heroics in the first half of the season, y/n finally took oscar up and is a guest of mclaren this weekend. as a medic, y/n is one of the most important aspects of a race weekend, and it's an honour to host her!

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user17: did oscar write this caption? that man was BLUSHING in the fan questions video

user18: awwww mama piastri is also there this weekend and in a load of the pictures in the paddock they stuck together

oscarpiastri: so happy to see you again y/n !!

yourusername: my pleasure, oscar. racing is a lot more fun from the garage

oscarpiastri: i'll try my best not to crash this time, i know my favourite medic isn't on duty

yourusername: oh wow what a title, i'll wear it with pride

user19: they're such dorks i love them so much

landonorris: can someone get me some popcorn, i'm enjoying watching oscar squirm and blush all weekend

oscarpiastri: i am NOT !!

landonorris: don't worry i'm sure y/n finds it cute

oscarpiastri: can you please STOP !!

yourusername: not to prove lando right but it is very cute

user20: lando is taking his big brother role a bit too far

alexalbon: you were right @logansargent this is fun to watch

logansargent: oh just you wait until you find out the stuff he was saying in hospital

oscarpiastri: please stop telling people

alexalbon: from what i heard she was right there @yourusername what did he say logan is being a good friend (for now)

yourusername: considering i literally fried my leg getting him out i don't remember most of that day

alexalbon: UGH you people are no help

yourusername: ???

oscarpiastri: ???

yourusername

liked by landonorris, oscarpiastri and 2,560 others

tagged: oscarpiastri

yourusername: no pulling this one out of a burning wreck this weekend 👍

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user21: omg oscar's smile ??? i am faint

landonorris: do i mean nothing to you?

yourusername: i am literally oscar's guest let me rep him in peace

landonorris: booooooo if you're going to wear his number might as well ask him out while you're at it

yourusername: mind your business, i know what i'm doing

user22: Y/N?????????

oscarpiastri: i see you know my angles already, can you come every weekend?

yourusername: i'd love to but i have a lil thing called a job :(

oscarpiastri: boring, can't you be my full time personal photographer?

landonorris: and his girlfriend?

oscarpiastri: do you mind?

landonorris: what? i'm just trying to help

oscarpiastri: you are MEDDLING

yourusername: you guys done?

oscarpiastri: yes

landonorris: NO

user23: lando is a no 1 y/n x oscar shipper he's so real

user24: y/n is so much stronger than me i'd hand in my notice right this second

yourusername: believe me i would if i could

landonorris: to both options?

oscarpiastri: LANDO STOP

yourusername

liked by alexalbon, oscarpiastri and 19,056 others

tagged: oscarpiastri

yourusername: happy to be your guardian angel baby x

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user29: new f1 parents just entered the chat

landonorris: i'm taking responsibility for this happening, you’re welcome

yourusername: stop right there buddy, this was all ME

oscarpiastri: nuh uh it was ME

yourusername: i asked YOU out?

oscarpiastri: technically yes, but i asked you to dinner first

yourusername: actually, if i remember correctly that was your mum

oscarpiastri: FINE you asked me out and i'm very glad you did and you ARE my guardian angel and you ARE way out of my league

landonorris: you said it i didn't

oscarpiastri: LANDO LET ME FLIRT IN PEACE YOU NUISANCE

landonorris: woah, you've changed bro

yourusername: are we finished boys?

landonorris: yes, and for real i am very happy for you guys

user30: lando saying he made this happen is the most lando thing ever

logansargent: can you tell him to stop ignoring me now?

yourusername: soz under strict rules not to fraternize with a traitor

logansargent: I'M SORRY BUT I CAN'T HANDLE SPICE

user31: at least logan is self-aware

oscarpiastri

liked by aussiegrit, yourusername and 702,443 others

tagged: yourusername

oscarpiastri: sometimes all you need to do is flip an f1 car into a barrier and burst into flames to meet the love of your life (and give her third degree burns)

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user32: OSCAR WITH A BACKWARDS CAP TEACHING HER TENNIS SOMEONE CALL 911 I AM NOT OKAY

landonorris: okay we get it now you guys are cute

yourusername: for someone who was 'the reason we got together' you've changed your tune

landonorris: yes i am glad you have each other but that doesn't change the fact that i am LONELY and don't need to see gross couple stuff

oscarpiastri: you poor baby

landonorris: NO SYMPATHY?

oscarpiastri: i'm gonna cite all of your tomfoolery in the other comment sections

landonorris: okay fair

user33: okay but can we promise to never have a crash like that again?

yourusername: agreed

aussiegrit: happy for you kid

oscarpiastri: thank you mark :)

yourusername: so this is mark... hi?

aussiegrit: don't worry i've heard nothing but wonderful things about you, i look forward to meeting you at the next race

user34: y/n already has all of the approval oh wow

yourusername: i love you dummy (never do that again or i'll never talk to you again)

oscarpiastri: you got it, wins only from now on 🫡

yourusername: ur the champion in my heart

oscarpiastri: 🧡 🧡 🧡

logansargaent

liked by alexalbon, yourusername and 304,788 others

tagged: yourusername, oscarpiastri

logansargeant: public shaming is good sometimes. though now i third wheel with only a fish by my side

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user35: i am SCREAMING

yourusername: oh florida boy, your time will come (don't put that fish pic on your tinder, i know you want to)

logansargeant: girls love fish?

yourusername: trust me they don't

logansargeant: is this just because oscar is bad at fishing?

yourusername: DELETE IT FROM YOUR TINDER PROFILE NOW OR THIRD WHEEL FOREVER

user36: what is going on here?

alexalbon: god logan this is tragic, how did you expose him and end up with a fish as your date

logansargeant: but is the size of the fish not impressive?

alexalbon: no, take y/n's advice

oscarpiastri: fine, you're forgiven. only because y/n found it cute, if she found it weird it would be you found at the bottom of a lake

logansargeant: ???????????? there was a chilli oscar

oscarpiastri: stop hiding behind your american passport, i'd eat that chilli for you

logansargeant: but it all worked out?

oscarpiastri: thankfully for you

yourusername: is it bad that this is kinda sexy?

logansargeant: he threatened to murder me?

yourusername: he's so protective 🫶

oscarpiastri: hehehehe thanks babe x

logansargeant: i give up.

note: WOAH two in one night? i am on a roll. anyhow, do enjoy, i love oscar so much so glad he extended !! xx

[dozyisdead]

I realized this a long time ago, but I will never truly support a team. I support and cheer for drivers, the people individually, because teams and organizations so often do not truly reflect the morals and beliefs of their individuals. At some point, money and bureaucracy take over, and things become muddy. I support drivers, not teams, because…

because Fuck You McLaren for what Daniel went through in 2021 & 2022 and the way he was treated behind the scenes and in the camera view the and the blatant disregard for his mental and physical condition and health, but I love Oscar Piastri with all my heart and how you don’t let the fights on track bother you outside of it and understand that racing is racing and what someone says there is not how they think of your person beyond it.

because Fuck You McLaren for the way you do team orders and how you put so much pressure and strain on your driver’s relationships and I’m talking about Hungary 2024, but Lando Norris you speak so much about mental health and I’m so glad you do because you bring light to a major part of any sport that so many ignore and I thank you for championing it so much.

because Fuck You Red Bull for dropping so many drivers at the flip of a coin because they can’t compare to your other driver’s talents and how you also show such blatant favoritism it’s disgusting and for the way you dealt with Christian Horner, but Max Verstappen is an incredibly kind and intelligent person who was given a bad hand but will not let the cycle repeat, and Daniel Ricciardo is a man who deserves so much more than what he was given and he still smiles and loves this sport with so much it’s terrifying to watch, and how much they have given and gotten back and grow because of who they are.

because Fuck You Williams for treating your drivers so horribly and having such obvious favoritism that it is detrimental to your driver’s health and specifically Fuck You to James Vowels for your insane behavior, but Logan Sargeant you deserve more than you were even given and Alex Albon you were one of the best teammates Logan could have ever asked for, Logan you deserve the world, thank you for opening the door for us.

because Fuck You Mercedes for trying to change who your driver is to fit your image because Valtteri deserved so much more and the way he was sacrificed was disgusting, but Sir Lewis Hamilton you champion so many and give a voice and platform to so many, bring attention to movements that have lacked support and the respect a d compassion you have for your fellow drivers, and how you’ve learned from your past and not let that define your relationships going forward.

because Fuck You Haas for the way you treat your drivers and how you never support them properly and I’m talking about You Gunther Steiner and the hell you put Mick through, but Kevin you did everything just to make it back, working as a welder for a year in a factory to claw your way back, and Mick you are more than just your name you are also a genuinely kind soul who I wish was given more time in multiple ways, and I know it’s hard but you’re doing amazing even if people in the past said otherwise.

because Fuck You Ferrari for the way you bleed your drivers dry and give them nothing while pretending to give them everything and how you cut some off so quickly it’s disgusting, but Charles LeClerc you have a soul that is too old and there is too much pain and sorrow painting your life path already, but you drive for yourself and for others, and you give hope back to those who have wept at Ferrari’s doorstep for generations, and you love with your heart so openly that I cannot help but admire you.

because Fuck You Alpine for the way you have treated drivers and how you have screamed of loyalty while also giving them no reason to be loyal and making their time there more painful that what is worth, but Pierre I know you mourn every second for lives that have been lost and you would scream from the rooftops if you were given a chance and I would hand you a megaphone because you have a rightful reason to.

because Fuck You VCARB for how you also drop drivers but I know it’s because you are a Red Bull subsidiary and how you gloss over how your drivers can be treated and how you try to sensor their anger and emotions, but Yuki Tsunoda I will forever applaud your skill and dedication to your team and sport, and I know it can be so hard being so far away from home in a land so foreign but you have carved out a place for yourself and I know you’ll make your dream of having your own restaurant come true.

because specifically Fuck The FIA for the insanity you decide is right and wrong and for how you let money blind you so much that you decide someone campaigning human rights and safety is a political statement and needs to be shut down.

because I will support people, not the half baked prettily worded lies organizations will tell us.

[aoimeru14]

My take on a certain part of the McLaren fandom:

Every tag I open I see parasocial behavior.

Let's just touch grass and stop it. It prevents people from enjoying the sport without cringing (and, moreover, be happy for a team's success).

Why do I have to mute stupid tags (anti...) and block people in order to appreciate F1 in peace? Why do people do not understand that this is an highly mechanical/engineering sport and not only a driving sport? Why do you not understand that drivers are humans too?

But mostly, why does it seem so difficult to root for an entire TEAM?

Like, can't we JUST collectively appreciate everything that happened today? Just for once.

Like:

1. Oscar's sprint pole was a significant milestone for him and his career. (And i would love to see him win the sprint). Although he's still a rookie, he's developing into a really good driver (just needs one or two more years to settle down). Also, he has been maturing a lot since the start of the season and you can see that in the way he speaks about the whole "papaya rules" situation (still hate it, no team orders please... Just tell him to not crash both cars.) now compared to before the summer break. (please Oscar, do not let Mark Webber's delusions get into your brain. Thanks.) Also, nice helmet. Love it.

2. Lando finally looks serene and at ease without succumbing to anxiety for other's expectations. (He also seems to not be willing to give a f*ck about WDC, good for him). I'm also really happy that he's back to eating/drinking before races and can finally enjoy driving again. (Noticed him eating an energy bar before the race in Mexico)

I also noticed that he, just like Oscar, matured A LOT this year, especially after the summer break. (Speaking of the elephant in the room: Despite the team's apparent indifference, I still think that WDC can be achieved if he chooses to. Even if they're not interested in helping him due to different priorities or contract clauses)

And no, he is definitely a First Driver. If you think otherwise you are just living in a delusion, sorry. Telemetry, just like Math, is not an opinion.

Like, look at the last qualy time he did (and aborted) before pitting.

(the green lap records are the last sectors performances set by the driver. Look at them. Just look.)

And yes, if he gets the points he deserves a WDC, if he wants to. He IS a really good driver.

Mentality is a concept as old (and toxic) as Helmut Marko. Please, don't be like him.

3. We are finally seeing what the upgrades were for... Especially after whatever Austin was. (And yes guys, BOTH of the drivers have had the upgrades since Austin. Oscar just got 6 upgrades out of 7 at that time... Not none. Sorry to burst your bubble.)

And no, the upgrades DIDN'T actually upgraded the car's overall performances in Austin, you can clearly see that from the data. They purposely sacrificed it for the next races. See this:

https://f1i.com/news/521800-mclaren-explains-decision-to-delay-updated-floor-in-austin.html

Also they took risks with the floor too in Mexico. And no, they didn't give it to Norris because they hate Piastri. They give it to him mainly because he is more experienced and can provide useful data during practice while Oscar still needs to improve this skill.

4. Also, the team has done a great job in finding a way to change the banned rear wing without compromising performance and exceeding the spending cap. Love it. (also they made a new beam wing configuration specifically for Interlagos and it, apparently, works really well!)

I'm still not convinced that we currently have the best car on the grid (Ferrari looks really solid anywhere) but it's already better than the rocky start we got in US.

Not gonna lie, the moment they sprayed the WHOLE side of the car with the flow-vis in Austin i was like "goddammit, no improvements"... So I'm relieved that it wasn't the case (better sacrifice a race than discard the upgrades package entirely like Ferrari did in Silverstone).

WCC wise, I just hope that today they don't do something silly risking two MCL38 in a multi21. (And that we get some good strategies... Hopefully... Ok, I think I need to start pray some ancient god for that.)

And what If they multi21? Well, it would be really entertaining, but I don't think Lando wants to risk points/DNF for that. It's just not his style. (Mentality again? Go to bed grandpa... And take your medicines)

Let's be healthy fans, guys. Not parasocial delulus. We can rant about McLaren shenanigans TOGETHER.

Like, YES, i'm still convinced that the strategy team/management team is doing a real poor job this year. Both in managing the races and managing the drivers. (Including Bortoleto's contract clauses...)

And last (and least?), I loved the Google chromed livery aesthetically... HATED it aerodynamically. You won't be missed. Sorry Google, I had to say it.

Thank you for reading my rant. Love y'all (even if you don't agree with me)!

[thinkingformula]

Piastri: Norris' Saboteur or a Driver Striving to Prove Himself?

Back in Hungary, we became witnesses to what was one of the strangest strategy calls from a Formula 1 team in recent memory. In an effort to protect their driver against the approaching 7-time world champion, McLaren pitted Lando Norris. It was an unusual call. While it protected the British driver from his competitors behind, it also undercut his teammate and the race leader at that moment - Oscar Piastri.

We all remember what conspired after this: twenty-three laps of uncomfortable and clumsy pleading from McLaren as they beseeched him to return the position to Piastri. For a while, it looked like Norris - who had a championship to consider and important points on the line - was going to deny his team’s pleas. That he was going to take this win for himself, no matter that it was given to him as a result of his team’s blunders and that it was his teammate’s first win on the line.

Between a rock and a hard place, Norris was put in an impossible situation. To risk valuable points and a second race win; to alienate himself from his teammate and his team. No matter what he chose to do, Norris lost either way. There was no right decision to make.

But then, when all hope seemed to be lost that Norris would give up that win, McLaren made him (what could be regarded as) a promise:

“The way to win a championship is with the team. You’re going to need Oscar; you’re going to need the team.”

We don’t know if that's what Norris believed when he heard those words, but it surely crossed his mind. The promise that, if he did this one thing, McLaren would repay him in the end. Piastri would repay him in the end. That they would help him win the championship when the time came down to it.

Maybe, that belief made the sting of sacrificing his second win that slightest bit easier to bear when he finally slowed down on lap 68.

Assuredly, there’s criticism that could be made of every player during that race. McLaren never should've pitted Norris first. Norris should've given the position up earlier, allowing him the opportunity to race Piastri and pass him legitimately (when his pace was certainly superior in the final stint). But, what’s more interesting about that moment is what has followed since.

A disappointing performance at the Belgium Grand Prix was soon followed by what Norris needed most: a race win- and at the championship leader’s home track, best of all. Another pole secured at Monza seemed to suggest an upward trend for Norris’ championship hopes, but it quickly fell apart in the first few stages of the Italian Grand Prix.

Norris presumably wasn't expecting the overtake from his teammate and the surprise appeared to unsettle him enough that Leclerc was able to benefit from the move, also, nipping second place with very little effort. Struggling to keep up with the cars in first and second and sitting in dirty air, Norris pitted early in an attempt to undercut Leclerc - an attempt which appeared successful, initially. A slow stop for Piastri almost handed him the position, but it wasn't to be and for a while, it seemed like the win was going to be a battle between the two McLaren drivers.

McLaren wasn't expecting the one-stop from Ferrari. But the decision turned out to be a stroke of genius from the home team and they managed to beat the far superior papaya car despite all odds. A dazzling, unexpected win for the Scuderia, but something far more pressing for the team from Woking. A question seemed to be playing on everyone’s minds. Especially those of Lando Norris' fans - potentially, even Norris himself.

Namely: when will McLaren be ready to play the first driver game?

Andrea Stella - McLaren team principal - made it clear what the historic team’s thoughts on the matter are. “I don't think that's a good way of approaching racing,” Stella said at the beginning of the weekend when asked about a number one driver in the team.

But, does this statement align with the promise they supposedly made in Hungary?

Many have argued that there were strategy calls and decisions that could have been made to assist Norris in his championship battle this past weekend. The drivers could've been told to hold positions in the early stages; Piastri could've been asked to swap places when it appeared like Leclerc was sure to win the race.

Undoubtedly, there’s issues with both of these suggestions and they stem from one place:

Oscar Piastri.

Because of his evident maturity and Raikonnen-esque approach to racing, oftentimes people forget that this is only Piastri’s second season in Formula 1. The only driver in history to win Formula Renault, Formula 3 and Formula 2 championships in successive seasons, it’s been acknowledged that Piastri is a potential future world champion. He’s fast and he’s smart and he doesn't appear to let much of anything get to him - the golden paradigm of a champion.

Many expected good things from the Australian rookie in his first year and he proved them right winning his first-ever race during the sprint in Qatar. Though Hungary is controversial, to say the least, he is a race winner within his own right and, without a doubt, there will be more to come in the future for the young Aussie if McLaren keeps up their current form.

Despite all of this, Piastri isn't the one in contention for the championship this year. With a 106-point deficit between himself and the current leader, it’s unlikely that he’ll be able to cinch the championship by the end of this season.

Instead, it’s his teammate who has the best chance.

Maybe, too accustomed to the teammates of previous and current world champions - Sergio Perez to Max Verstappen and Valtteri Bottas to Lewis Hamilton - McLaren (and Norris) fans were expecting Piastri to do the same. To play the team game. Especially after Hungary, it appeared like McLaren was preparing Piastri for that inevitably - securing him the win to soothe any resulting bitterness at having to play second fiddle to his teammate.

With Monza a haze of Rosso Corsa behind us, it’s apparent that Piastri will not be portraying this role.

Piastri’s performance this past weekend has been criticised by many who’ve accused him of being a bad teammate and a bad team player. Both of these allegations, however, disregard who and what Piastri is.

First and foremost, Oscar Piastri is a racing driver.

That's been proven again and again from the very beginning of his career. He’s won championships before and he wants to win them again.

Unlike many other drivers on the grid, Piastri is different. He wasn't forced to start in a backfield team and he didn't have to suffer for long in the midfield. Most of the current drivers were given years to prove themselves. Piastri had to do it from the very first race.

Despite McLaren’s poor form at the beginning of 2023, they were and still are McLaren. A team with 58 years in Formula 1, 12 drivers’ championships and 8 constructors’ championships. The second oldest team on the grid and the second most successful after the Scuderia itself.

An impossible weight was placed on Piastri’s shoulders from the very beginning. Having the chance to fight for race wins and championships in only his second year doesn't help that matter.

It’s for this very reason, therefore, that it seems almost senseless for fans to be questioning why Piastri hasn't rolled over for his teammate yet this season.

Undoubtedly, Piastri’s reputation is on the line here. He wants to establish himself as a future world champion and despite the fact that letting Norris by might make him a good teammate, it won’t make him a world champion. Other teams will see this; McLaren will see this. And the next time McLaren are in contention for a championship, what will Piastri want them to see when they look at him? A shadow behind Norris, a driver who stepped aside easily to let his teammate win? Or a race winner - a Formula 1 driver to the very core?

He’s not the first to do it; he won’t be the last. What might have been of Lewis Hamilton if he’d behaved differently in his rookie season? If he’d stepped aside for two-time world champion Fernando Alonso? Would he have garnered the same respect? Would he have been as successful of a driver as he is today if he hadn't proved himself a great one from the very beginning? The type that wouldn't step aside for his teammate, not even for one who’d beaten the indomitable Michael Schumacher.

At fifteen years old, Charles Leclerc said: "It will never be possible that we end up fighting for the title and it’s my teammate fighting for it instead of me." They called him predestined because of it.

Surely, McLaren wants to win both championships this season. But they’re also not stupid.

Forcing Piastri to step aside could isolate him, forcing him to look elsewhere (potentially losing them any future constructors’ championships if they’re made to rely on Norris and whichever driver they can replace him with). They’re not going to force Piastri to play second driver. Not until the very last moment and only if absolutely necessary.

And Piastri- he doesn't want the perception of him as anything but a future championship contender. Stepping aside for Norris could do that, especially this early in his career.

In Monza, Piastri raced clean and fair. He was the quicker driver in every stint and Norris couldn't compare. Giving the position to Norris at the end of the race might have been smart if they wanted to prioritise his championship, but it made no difference to the constructors in the end.

The gap between Norris and Verstappen is still significant. Maybe, if it were smaller, McLaren would've been more likely to sacrifice Piastri in his favour. But, for the moment, Norris is going to have to fight for this championship on his own merit. At least, until that gap has closed or Stella and McLaren change their minds, after all.

Until that point, Piastri is well within his own right to disregard Norris’ championship for his own selfish ambitions. It doesn't make him a bad team player, it makes him a racing driver. At the end of the day, we shouldn't be expecting racing drivers to be anything but racing drivers. Especially ones who have been mentored and are currently managed by one of the few who suffered most as a result of first driver prerogatives as Mark Webber did driving beside Sebastian Vettel. 

As Senna once said, “If you no longer go for a gap you are no longer a racing driver.” Piastri is not yet willing to be the racing driver who doesn't go for the gap and he shouldn't be villainised because of it.

Congratulations to Charles Leclerc and Ferrari for the dazzling win this past weekend. Hopefully, we will get to see more like it as the season comes to an end.

Written by Eleanor 04/09/2024