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| Oscar Piastri at the Drivers Press Conference ahead of the F1 2025 Mexico City Grand Prix | McLaren F1 Team |
Oscar Piastri says he will not help Lando Norris try to win the Formula 1 world title at the 2025 Qatar GP, as the Australian rejects any suggestion of papaya rules from McLaren in the Middle East with a firm denial.
Norris comes into the weekend knowing if he leaves with a 26-point advantage over Piastri and Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, he will become the team’s first champions since 2008 and the first British champion since 2020.
However, there was a setback in Las Vegas last time out as both of Zak Brown’s cars were disqualified for falling in breach of the FIA’s regulations regarding floor plank wear limitations.
Exceeding the 9mm tolerance, both cars had no leg to stand on and were subsequently DSQ’d in the United States – despite initially crossing the line after 50 laps in second (Norris) and third respectively.
It’s an outcome that has put Verstappen back in striking distance after his chances of winning the crown appeared remote, in the face of what was an impressive comeback at the time after he left August’s Dutch GP 104 points off the pace.
He is tied with Piastri on the same points total but behind on countback, meaning the Australian is also somewhat in the hunt, even as his own chances appear to be dwindling with races running out and poor form.
That prompted questions that Andrea Stella’s McLaren team should consider using the 24-year-old as a strategic weapon to try to fend off Red Bull’s defending champion in the final two rounds.
But this is not something Piastri is keen on as he shoots down suggestions he will help Norris at the 2025 Qatar GP, as he rejects proposals of papaya rules to ensure his McLaren colleague wins the F1 2025 title.
“We’ve had a very brief discussion on it,” Piastri told media, including Total-Motorsport.com. “And the answer is no.
“I’m still equal on points with Max and I’ve got a decent shot of still winning it if things go my way so, yeah, that’s how we’ll play.”
Can Piastri still win the F1 2025 title as he refuses to help Norris at Qatar GP?
Piastri comes into this Sprint Race weekend in Qatar knowing the pressure is on as he cannot afford to lose two more points to Norris in the standings if he hopes to become Australia’s first world champion in over 40 years.
That means even if he finishes third and Norris finishes second, it’s over. If he finishes fourth and Norris third, it’s over. If Norris wins, both he and Verstappen can forget about it for this year.
That’s how fine the margins are now but despite the odds being stacked against him, he still has the belief he can win the title. Of course, all it takes is one bad moment from his teammate for Piastri to be the championship leader again.
“I think there’s still a chance, and it’s played out that way a couple of times before,” Piastri added. “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.”
- Brandon Sutton
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