Two narratives, one goal at McLaren
McLaren’s championship push is sharpening, and so is the spotlight on its driver dynamic. Former F1 team boss Guenther Steiner argues the team should fully commit to Oscar Piastri to maximise its title odds. Lando Norris, meanwhile, remains defiant after missing a big opportunity in Baku, insisting he is leaving nothing on the table.
Piastri’s cushion, Norris’s reality
Piastri’s qualifying crash and first-lap retirement in Azerbaijan opened the door for Norris to slash the gap. But a compromised Saturday left the Briton only seventh at the flag, trimming the deficit by six points to 25 with 199 still available this season. Norris rejected the idea that Baku was an unforgivable miss: “I am doing the best I can… I needed to do better in qualifying, but [going out first] was our decision and we paid the price. I felt close to maximising the race.”
Steiner’s call: pick a lane
Steiner’s view is blunt: the most efficient route to glory is to put full weight behind the leading contender. That raises the perennial question for title-chasing teams — balance both drivers’ races on merit or tilt strategy and development to the one with the stronger points hand?
What it means for the run-in
- Standings context: Piastri leads Norris by 25 points with 199 remaining
- Norris says he’s extracting everything despite a costly Baku Saturday
- External pressure mounts for McLaren to back a single spearhead
With margins tight and opportunities rare, McLaren’s strategic posture over the next few rounds could prove decisive — both for the title and the team’s internal equilibrium.
