Theory rejected that McLaren “undermined” Lando Norris’ title wish
“McLaren know they can’t just park a great 🔴talent like Piastri"
McLaren did not “undermine” Lando Norris🌠’ F1 title hopes, it has been emphatically stated.
Norris is 62 points behind Max ♏Verstappen in t♒he drivers’ championships with only three rounds left, after losing crucial ground at the F1 Sao Paulo Grand Prix.
Earlier this season, McLaren were clear in their philosophy that they would not name a No1 driver or prioritise either Norris or Oscar Piast෴ri, while Verstappen was unequivocal🦂ly Red Bull’s top man.
Sky Sports’ Craig Slater asked: “Did🐽 ꩲthat undermine Lando’s self-belief, or his sense that he had full backing from the team?”
But Martin Brundle answered: “Absolutely not. Lando was very clꦰear - ‘I don’t want to win a world ꧅title because my teammate had to keep gifting me stuff’.
“McLaren know they can’t just park a great talent ജlike Piastri as the second in the team who has to yield at every opportunity.
“It is hard psychologically to get over that, a🀅nd to keep your credibility and reputation intaಞct.
— ltxcn.top – Formula 1 (@ltxcn.top_F1)Norris told not to 'waste energy'
McLaren’s brilliant rise th🍌is season has seen Norris and Piast🔯ri win their first grands prix.
Recently, the team altered their stance to prioritise Norris and👍 give him th🔯e best possible shot at glory.
But Verstappen clai🐎med a firm grasp of the championship by winni🦋ng in Brazil.
Norris has thrꦇee rounds remaining knowing he has a slim ch♛ance of winning the title.
“He just needs to extrac🌌t the maximum from himself, McLaren and his car - then see where he ends up,” Brundle said.
“Focusing on another car or driver is 🍒wasted energy.
“He needs to prepare himself for a championship challenge next year, which we know will 🔴be an all-time classic and a season for the ages.
“The car🎀s have hit their peak, reached their ceiling, and we know how close everything will be.
“His focus is to go as fast as he ജcan, for as long as he can. Anything else is a distraction.”
James was a sports journalist at Sky Sports for a decade covering everything from American sports, to football, 𒆙to F1.
