Piastri has 'huge credit in the McLaren bank' as title fight's end draws near
Norris and Piastri after Italian GP - Photo: RacePictures
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.
Oscar Piastri was asked by McLaren to let Lando Norris by at the Italian Grand Prix. The Australian's decision to obey the command only earned him 'a lot of favours in the team'.
During the Italian Grand Prix, Norris led Piastri comfortably, at least until the pit stops. Then the British driver's tyre change was slowed due to a faulty wheel gun, which cost him P2, inherited by his Australian teammate.
Momentarily, though, since the call eventually came on the radio to Piastri to let Norris back through. The Australian driver's compliance has only strengthened his position within the team.
At least that's what fellow Australian and former F1 team manager Peter Windsor believes.
Speaking on Cameron CC's podcast, Windsor outlined the key aspect behind Piastri's choice to adhere to the instruction he received over the radio.
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“The big difference is this wasn’t for the lead,” Windsor said. “If Max Verstappen was dicing Yuki Tsunoda for most of the race, down in 14th place or something and the lead had been Lando Norris from Lap 1 and Oscar behind him, and this had happened, and then they said ‘will you slow down and give the win to Lando please?’.
“What do you think Oscar Piastri would have said? Exactly. No chance at all but because it was P2/P3, who really cares. It wasn’t a win.”
Oscar Piastri (r) had to give his place to Lando Norris
Piastri now has 'huge credit' in the McLaren bank
Windsor believes that Piastri's decision to let Norris through has earned him huge credit with McLaren, which could come in handy as the title fight races to the finish line with only eight round left to go in the championship.
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“It will earn Oscar a lot of favours in the team, for sure,” Windsor added. “He did a favour. It’s a bit like giving Lando the sprint win in Brazil.
“It was a favour that didn’t mean very much but will earn him a lot of kudos and credit in McLaren because he might need something from Lando going into the rest of the season.
“He gave away something that was innocuous. He’s got a lot of credit now in the bank as a result and Lando can’t complain about him at all. Actually, it was a very powerful thing for Oscar to do to be honest. I think Lando is probably pleased, probably a bit embarrassed by it all,” Windsor concluded.
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