Lando Norris may be on the brink of his first Formula 1 world championship, but the McLaren star insists he won’t be the one asking team-mate Oscar Piastri to step aside if this weekend’s Abu Dhabi GP turns tactical.
Despite holding the points lead heading into the season finale, Norris says team orders – if they become necessary – must come from his team, not from him.
The Briton arrives at Yas Marina with a 16-point cushion over Piastri, while Max Verstappen sits between them, 12 points behind Norris. For all McLaren’s internal harmony, the threat from outside is now far bigger than the threat from within.
Even so, team principal Andrea Stella has pushed back against the idea of designating Piastri as a supporting act – though he admitted the team could reconsider during the race if the title fight demands it.
But if that moment comes, Norris wants no part in asking for favors.
Norris was clear and candid when asked whether swapping positions with Piastri had been discussed with Mclaren on a theoretical basis.
“No, [it’s] not been discussed,” he told reporters on Thursday at Yas Marina. “Honestly, I mean, I would love it. But I don’t think I would ask it. It’s up to Oscar if he would allow it. I don’t think it’s necessarily down to me.
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“It’s the same if it’s the other way around. Would I be willing to or not? Personally, I think I would, because I feel like I’m always like that and that’s how I am.
“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.
“At the same time, if that’s how it ends and Max wins, then well, that’s it. Congrats to him and I look forward to next year.
“It doesn’t change anything. It doesn’t change my life. He will deserve it over us.”
It’s an unusually laid-back approach for a driver fighting for a championship, but Norris has made a point of keeping things in perspective—even after missing the chance to clinch the title in Qatar.
Norris said he has kept the pressure at arm’s length in the run-up to Abu Dhabi.
“I’ve obviously not been in this situation before. But at the minute, I feel good,” he explained.
“I really don’t think of it at all until you guys ask it all the time. So I’m trying to avoid you guys as much as possible. But that’s also part of the job. So it’s nothing new. It’s nothing that shocks me or whatever.
“I’ve come into the weekend not thinking of it for the last three days, just playing some golf and being with my mates and having a good time.
“And I look forward to doing that on Monday. Whether I’m hungover or not. So, yeah, really it’s pretty the same. And I think I’ll be the same on track as how I’ve been the last few weeks.
“As much as there’s still been pressure the last few weeks, I’ve still felt comfortable and I still feel good in the car. So, yeah, all good.”
Norris knows he sits in the most vulnerable of positions – the leader, with everything to lose – but the 26-year-old remains remarkably philosophical about it.
For Norris, the prospect of falling short isn’t a source of dread – it’s part of the sport he loves.
“I guess in terms of position, of course, I have the most to lose because I am the one at the top,” he said. “I’ll do my best to stay there until the end of the year.
“Same time, if it doesn’t go my way, then I’ll try again next year. It will hurt probably for a little while, but then that’s life. I’ll crack on and try and do better next season.
“I also feel like the mentality of I have nothing to lose because it’s just a race for a championship. In 30 years’ time, I probably won’t think of it that much either way.
“I’m not too bothered in terms of I’ll do my best I can. If it happens, great. If it doesn’t, then I’ll try again next year.”
A title showdown looms. Team orders might surface. But if they do, Norris won’t be the one asking.
And in a season where he has redefined himself as a champion-in-the-making, his calm refusal to force the issue might be the most “Lando” thing of all.
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