Lando Norris calls out fans for making ‘big deal’ of him helping Oscar Piastri in Baku despite having number 1 status
Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri have remained closely matched throughout the season, increasing the headaches for McLaren.
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The 2024 F1 season has been an exciting one. Despite having an immense lead in the driver’s title, Max Verstappen is considered to be in danger of losing the title to Lando Norris. However, the intra-team dynamics have often troubled McLaren, as Oscar Piastri has been at the sharp end fighting for wins more often than his world championship contender teammate.
Heading into the Baku GP weekend, McLaren announced their intentions to do away with the papaya rules and give Lando Norris priority in race stints owing to his chances of winning the world championship. In stark contrast, since Norris has appeared as a candidate for the championship, Oscar Piastri has outscored him in the past seven rounds and by a hefty margin.
Subsequently, after the Aussie won the race in Azerbaijan, people claimed that the 23-year-old won due to the Brit holding Sergio Perez back in the race. This earned him criticism as people asserted that he should not play the role of being the second driver, which the 24-year-old condemned.
People are making a bigger deal out of it than what it is. I just love to go out and race well and qualify well, and be in positions where my team-mate can help me out, just like I was last weekend - I was in a position where I could help Oscar out and probably got him the win [in Azerbaijan]. I played my part and I'm sure Oscar will play his part when that time comes.Lando Norris said in an interview as quoted by RacingNews365
Norris explained that the race had been an anomaly as he was out of position in reference to the rest of the drivers. So when he was offered the chance to help his teammate, he took it up and played a crucial role in McLaren securing victory at Baku.
Lando Norris gave his take on McLaren’s flexi-wing controversy
Though the 24-year-old’s subpar qualifying had turned heads last weekend, McLaren was not left alone from the array of controversies that usually spool up as the rear wing of the MCL38 seemingly flexed under load. This caused an outrage among teams as they alleged the rear wing to be illegal.
While other teams accused McLaren of cheating, Norris explained how the team was working within the rules set by the FIA.
I'm very happy. They're doing a very good job. Everything's been tested, everything's legal. We're doing what we can. That's what Formula 1 is for, exploring everything within the rules. We've cleared all the tests and everything, and the FIA are happy. I'm proud, I'm happy with what the team are doing.Lando Norris said in an interview with Sky Sports F1
The McLaren driver elaborated that the papaya cars were legal and were operating within the permissible limits. Moreover, he asserted that the FIA was content with the test results, so he deemed the rear wing as legal in the grand scheme of things.
On the contrary, McLaren’s rear wing is currently understood to be in the gray area of the regulations. Thus, a clampdown on such flexible aerodynamic parts could soon take place by the regulatory body.
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Geetansh Pasricha
(772 Articles Published)