Verstappen Doesn't Think Piastri Is "Type To Be Labelled Second Driver'

Thursday, 12 September 2024 at 16:17

Red Bull Racing F1 driver Max Verstappen reacted to McLaren's recent change in the team order rules as he suggested Oscar Piastri won't be a number two.

Speaking to BBC ahead of the 2024 Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Andra Stella (McLaren's team principal) clarified that his team made some changes to the Papaya rules after the previous race in Italy.

What happened in Italy was that the battle between the two McLaren drivers compromised the race for the whole team and resulted in fewer points amassed, hurting their position in both Championships.

In Azerbaijan, Stella clarified that an overtake like the one Oscar Piastri performed on Lando Norris during lap one of the 2024 Italian Grand Prix would not be acceptable from now on.

The team principal also said the team would now support Norris and that Piastri was prepared to help, suggesting we might expect to see some team orders in McLaren.

When Norris's main Championship rival - Max Verstappen, was asked by the media at Baku City Circuit what he thought about the new "Papaya rules" (McLaren's name for the rules), he said, as per RacingNews365:

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“"I am not surprised about it. Of course, they do what they want, and it's not my problem. I have my own problems at the moment."”

“"If you look at it from Oscar's perspective, he is closer to Lando than Lando is to me. They have to deal with that."”

“"They were not far apart, even in the championship. Oscar came in as first driver, and I don't think he's the type to be labelled second driver either."”

Isn't it in Verstappen's interest to say this? It might be. The fighting between the two McLaren drivers can only benefit the Dutchman.

On the other hand, the triple World Champion has a reputation for being quite honest and straightforward, so it seems unlikely that he would play media mind games with other drivers and F1 teams.