“I don’t want to ask it”: McLaren drivers clear the air on team orders for Abu Dhabi
- Kavi Khandelwal
- 53 minutes ago
- 3 min read
Written by Kavi Khandelwal
On the eve of the final, decisive race weekend in Abu Dhabi, the atmosphere in the McLaren camp was a blend of acceptance, self-critique, and philosophical calm.
Championship rivals Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri spoke openly about their mistakes, the possibility of team orders, and the mentality required to face the season's ultimate showdown.
Team orders: Loyalty vs. victory
The elephant in the room—whether Piastri would yield to Norris if Max Verstappen was leading the race—was the central focus of the press conference. Norris, while admitting he would love the help, insisted on the integrity of the fight.
"No. Not been discussed. And honestly, 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, you know? I don’t think it’s necessarily down to me."
Norris, however, suggested his own instinct would be to follow team interest, yet remained committed to accepting the outcome regardless of the final decision.
"Personally, I think I would just because I feel like I’m always like that, and that’s just how I am. But yeah, it’s not really up to me. I’m not going to ask it. I don’t want to ask it because I don’t think it’s necessarily a fair question. And at the same time, if that’s how it ends and Max wins, then well, that’s it. Congrats to him... It doesn’t change anything. It doesn’t change my life. So, he will deserve it over us."
Piastri, meanwhile, confirmed the subject has not been raised by the team principal, adding complexity to the dynamic:
"It’s not something we’ve discussed. So, yeah. I mean, until I know what’s kind of expected… I don’t really have an answer until I know what’s expected of me."
The competitive but respectful spirit was confirmed when asked about data sharing.
Piastri was quick to say, "We’ve set up a cardboard barrier between the two of us. No, it’s the same as usual. Obviously, we want to go out and make the car as quick as possible and win."
Norris added as well, "Nothing more to add. I don’t think Zak or Andrea would let us even if we wanted to. So, no. It’s the same as every weekend."
The "nothing to lose" mentality
Norris, despite being the championship leader, shared an unexpected, philosophical approach to the immense pressure, contrasting his P1 position with the "nothing to lose" attitude of his rivals.
"I guess in terms of position, of course, I have the most to lose because I am the one at the top. Yeah. And I’ll do my best to stay there till the end of the year, a few more days."
He closed by putting the gravity of the title into the broader perspective of life and his career.
"At the same time, if it doesn’t go my way, then I try again next year. It’ll hurt probably for a little while, but then, yeah, that’s life. I’ll crack on and try and do better next season. So, I also feel like I have the mentality of 'I have nothing to lose,' because it’s just a race for a championship. But in 30 years’ time, I probably won’t think of it that much either way. So, I’m not too bothered. I’ll do the best I can. If it happens, great. If it doesn’t, then I’ll try again next year."
