Mario Andretti drops bombshell: McLaren alleged bias against Oscar Piastri
Lando Norris in Singapore - Photo: Race Pictures
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A filmmaker with a soft spot for Ronnie Peterson, Gilles Villeneuve, Mika Hakkinen and above all, Tazio Nuvolari and Ayrton Senna, is also a diehard Formula One fan since the age of 4 (mid-90's). An avid researcher of the past of Grand Prix Racing since before it was even named F1, and with a thirst for knowledge of the ins and outs of the actuality of the sport, as well as for the technical aspects that define it, is a member of GPblog since 2023, where he has put his love of racing to good use.
I like Piastri for his grit, but it seems to me that at McLaren, for some reason - I don't know why they favour Lando Norris."- Mario Andretti
Given the way certain calls from the McLaren pit wall have gone down, like the Hungarian Grand Prix strategy that saw Norris triumph over Piastri.
Or the refusal to instruct the British driver to give his Aussie teammate the position back in Silverstone after what Piastri felt was an unfair penalty.
And following their first lap collision in Singapore, some of F1's key players believe that McLaren are favouring Norris over Piastri in their intra-team title battle.
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Andretti, who was at the Festival of Sports, was asked by the Corriere Della Sera regarding the F1 season and how he rated the drivers.
He said: "Verstappen is very strong. I like Piastri for his grit, but it seems to me that at McLaren, for some reason - I don't know why they favour Lando Norris."
Lando Norris collided with Oscar Piastri at the start of the Singapore GP. Photo: RacePictures.
Andretti isn't the only one to have reached that conclusion
Andretti is a close friend of McLaren CEO Zak Brown and despite their relationship was able to speak out on the title fight. Andretti is not the only one. Others have thought it as well, like former F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone. According to the British mogul, the papaya team are supporting Norris more than they are Piastri.
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Norris's actions in the Singapore Grand Prix could prove to be the turning point in this season as he takes the battle to his teammate. McLaren have now wrapped up the constructors' championship title and now have to manage their respective drivers as the battle for the drivers' championship in the final six races of the season for the right to become F1's new world champion.
It looks to be too much of a gap for the reigning world champion Verstappen to claw back as Norris admitted and cynically brushed off the resurgence of the Red Bull driver.
It looks to be too much of a gap for the reigning world champion Verstappen to claw back as Norris admitted and cynically brushed off the resurgence of the Red Bull driver.
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