Lando Norris says he will not ask McLaren to intervene in Sunday’s Formula 1 finale in Abu Dhabi, even if the title slips away without help from Oscar Piastri.
Norris arrives at Yas Marina with a 12-point gap over Max Verstappen and 16 over team-mate Piastri, meaning the British driver needs to finish third in order to secure the title regardless of what his rivals do.
There are scenarios on the table in which Piastri could sit ahead of Norris on track while Verstappen leads or runs second or third that would make the Red Bull driver the champion.
If Verstappen were leading the race with Piastri third and Norris fourth, the Australian giving up the place would help the Briton win the title.
Similarly, if Verstappen was second and Norris was eighth, Piastri – provided he was behind the Red Bull – allowing his team-mate through would also make Norris champion.
However, speaking on Thursday, Norris was unequivocal that he won’t request an easy pass, although he did concede he would welcome it if it meant securing the crown.
“No, not been discussed,” Norris said about the possibility of team orders. “I mean, I would love it, but I don’t think I would ask it because I don’t know. It’s up to Oscar if he would allow it. I don’t think it’s necessarily down to me.
“It’s the same if it’s all the way around. Would I be willing to or not? Personally, I think I would just because I feel like I’m always like that and that’s just how I am.
“I don’t want to ask it because I don’t think it’s necessarily a fair question.”
Norris added that if the title goes Verstappen’s way, “That’s it. Congrats to him and I look forward to next year. It doesn’t change anything, it doesn’t change my life. So he will deserve it over us.”
Norris says he is relaxed ahead of the finale
Piastri said he hasn’t yet considered team orders from his side either: “It’s not something we’ve discussed… until I know what’s expected, I don’t really have an answer.”
McLaren has largely committed to a policy of letting its two drivers battle each other on merit, even while both remained in title contention in 2025.
The team’s leadership has repeatedly emphasised equality between its drivers rather than favouring one over the other.
Team principal Andrea Stella has defended the decision even in tense moments.
Norris acknowledged the complexity of McLaren having two drivers fighting for the title, but praised how cleanly the pair have worked together across the season.
“We’ve done well,” Norris added. “It obviously makes our life hard as a team because we have two drivers fighting for a championship instead of one.
“And that also has its complications at times and its difficulties. It allows for other parties to enter the chat more often. But yeah, we’re so happy that we’re both up there.”
Relaxed approaches
If the pressure was expected to show in Thursday’s press conference, all three contenders appeared to miss the memo.
The title contenders feels they have nothing to lose
Red Bull
Verstappen remained the most relaxed presence in the room, insisting he has “nothing to lose” and is simply enjoying Red Bull’s late-season revival.
“I’m just enjoying being here,” he said. “But for me, it’s not even about being here. I’ve been enjoying the second half of the season working with the team, how we’ve been able to turn it around from difficult times and really having a debrief after the race, being very disappointed and frustrated with the performances, to just enjoying, smiling, having these wins again.
“It’s fantastic. So I just take it. For me, everything here is just a bonus and sitting here fighting for the title. So that’s also what makes it very straightforward for me.”
Norris said he barely thinks about the championship unless the media brings it up.
He added that even with the stakes, he feels “comfortable” and will treat the finale like any other weekend.
“At the minute I feel good. Like I really don’t think of it at all until you guys ask it all the time. So it’s trying to avoid you guys as much as possible.
“But it’s, but that’s also part of the job. So it’s nothing new. It’s nothing that, you know, that shocks me or whatever. Yeah, I come into the weekend not thinking of it, you know, for the last three days, just playing some golf and being with my mates and having a good time. And I look forward to doing that on Monday, whether I’m hungover or not.
A three-way championship fight between Norris, Verstappen and Piastri, and the end of the current era set the stage for a decisive 2025 Abu Dhabi GP finale
By
Pablo Elizalde
“So, yeah, you know, really, it’s pretty the same. And I think it’ll be the same on track as how I’ve been the last few weeks as much as this will be in pressure the last few weeks. I’ve still felt comfortable and still feel good in the car. So, yeah, all good.”
Piastri also described himself as “relaxed” and buoyed by his Qatar form.
“I’ve been on the opposite side of the championship battle in the junior categories and I know what that felt and was pretty tough,” he said. “So coming into it from the least to lose out of us three is quite different for me.
“And think off the back of Qatar, I’ve got a lot of confidence that I can perform well. Obviously I need a fair few things to happen this weekend to come out champion. I’ll just make sure I’m in the right place in the right time and see what happens.”
Norris concluded with a shrug at the wider picture: “Of course I have the most to lose, but in 30 years’ time I probably won’t think of it that much either way. If it happens, great. If it doesn’t, I’ll try again next year.”
