McLaren has reportedly made an internal decision to prioritise Australian driver Oscar Piastri for the Formula 1 world championship, as stated by former driver Ralf Schumacher. Schumacher, brother of legendary driver Michael Schumacher, has voiced concerns over Lando Norris’s performance, particularly following a crash during the recent Canadian Grand Prix, where Norris collided with Piastri while vying for fourth place. He described Norris’s mistake as “senseless” and noted that the young Briton “makes too many mistakes”, which could hinder his chances of success.
Despite the incident, McLaren’s team principal, Andrea Stella, confirmed that both drivers would be allowed to continue racing competitively against one another. However, Schumacher believes that McLaren’s focus has shifted towards supporting Piastri, who currently leads the drivers’ standings with 198 points, while Norris sits in second with 176 points, followed by reigning champion Max Verstappen in third with 155 points. There are still 14 races left in the season, with the next event being the Austrian Grand Prix.
Schumacher acknowledged that while Norris apologised for his actions in Canada, it may not significantly benefit his title aspirations. He reflected on Norris’s recent dip in confidence due to his mistakes and highlighted that even though Norris showcased speed, especially during the race, his inconsistency could be detrimental to his quest for the championship.
McLaren is aspiring to secure its first world champion driver since Lewis Hamilton in 2008. Australia, meanwhile, has not seen a Formula 1 world champion since Alan Jones secured the title in 1980. Piastri’s impressive performance this season places him in a strong position as the team looks to reclaim its former glory in Formula 1 racing.