Piastri makes ‘excessive’ admission over McLaren team orders

Oscar Piastri has stated it would have been “excessive” for McLaren to impose team orders earlier in the ongoing F1 season.

McLaren has highlighted it will prioritise Lando Norris in the drivers’ championship as the Briton looks to close a 62-point gap to Max Verstappen.

Team orders were a hot topic of debate following the recent Italian Grand Prix, with Piastri crossing the line ahead of Norris, despite the latter being in a stronger position to challenge for the title.

Piastri has highlighted he understands McLaren’s hunt goes beyond his personal interests.

“This is about much more than just me, and we’re trying to achieve both championships, which for the team, is an incredibly big thing,” Piastri told media including RacingNews365.

“The constructors’ is one thing, but if you have the opportunity to win both championships in the year, then as a team, it’s a massive objective to try and achieve both.”

With eight races remaining in the campaign, Piastri asserted only now is the right time to inflict team orders.

Even though there are 232 points still on the table, with eight grands prix and three sprints remaining, Piastri understands McLaren’s decision given Norris’ position in the standings compared to the fact he is 106 points adrift.

“Being selfish, I would prefer to not have it [team orders], but I’m very aware that it’s not just about me,” he said.

“I’m happy to play a supporting role at this point in the season. Any earlier in the season, it would probably have been excessive.

“But now it’s an appropriate time to try and help the team win both championships.”