Oscar Piastri Rejects McLaren Team Order

Oscar Piastri has a chance to become world champion in 2025 (Instagram/@oscarpiastri).

JAKARTA Oscar Piastri refused McLaren's teams to focus on supporting Lando Norris in the remaining two races so they could lock up the 2025 Formula 1 (F1) world title against Max Verstappen.

Speaking ahead of the Qatar Grand Prix F1 race this weekend, Piastri confirmed that McLaren had discussed internally discussing the implementation of the teams-order.

"We have had a brief discussion and the answer is no. My points are still the same as Max (Verstappen) and have a good chance of winning if the results are as expected. That's how we play," he said as quoted by Crash.

The two McLaren riders were disqualified from the Las Vegas Grand Prix F1 last weekend due to over-plank wear. Norris was dropped from finishing second behind Verstappen, while Piastri was dropped from finishing fourth.

The disqualification in Las Vegas has a positive impact on Piastri's chances of winning the world title. However, on the other hand, Verstappen also has another hope of defending the world title.

If he is not disqualified, Norris should have a 30-point advantage ahead of the Qatar Grand Prix F1 this weekend.

However, this advantage is now reduced to 24 points over Piastri and Verstappen, who now have the same points as the remaining two rounds.

The situation that still places Verstappen in the race for the title made some experts suggest McLaren should prioritize Norris to ensure he won the title.

"In the end, this is not a good thing. With the results we got, yes, it prevents my gap in points even bigger than Lando. Obviously this is quite a difficult weekend for the team and a painful ending," Piastri said.

Even in complicated situations, Norris is still seeded to lift the world title this year. He will certainly become a champion if he can leave Qatar with a 26-point advantage over Piastri and Verstappen.