Lando Norris in Singapore - Photo: Race Pictures

Verstappen on the hunt, Norris at risk: McLaren urged to choose sides

17:33, 10 Oct

Updated: 18:14, 10 Oct

byNorberto Mujica

F1TV presenter Lawrence Barreto believes McLaren needs to support either Lando Norris or Oscar Piastri, as Max Verstappen looms large as a threat to the driver's championship.

I think if Max takes a chunk out of them, they're going to have to consider that and Lando doesn't want them to do that.

- Lawrence Barreto

In Singapore, Barreto argues Norris was the quickest man on track, but couldn't capitalise on MCL39's potential due to his P5 qualifying position.

He said in the F1 Nation podcast: "If he'd qualified on the front row, he could have gone and dominated the race I think in the way that he did last year.

"So actually I think from what he learned today about the way the car responded on Sunday. I think it will give them confidence."

norris-piastri-collision-mclaren-singapore-gp-f1

Lando Norris collided with Oscar Piastri at the start of the Singapore GP. Photo: RacePictures.

The British F1 journalist believes, that although McLaren may not need a statement win, Norris does, to further ignite his title bid against teammate Piastri.

"I think for Lando, he could do with that statement win to try and get some proper momentum in the chase of Oscar," he added.

A win, would do Norris well given what Barreto perceives to be two very different perspectives in both of McLaren's garages, with Verstappen's presence growing ever larger in the championship picture.

"I still get the impression I think he [Piastri] thinks he's got this. So I think it's two very different things for the McLaren drivers. I think for Oscar, he's going to be okay.

"For Lando I think he just feels like he needs to chip out a bit more of a win but I think he'll probably take confidence in the fact that Max is getting in on the fight.

"And if he could have done a better race today and been ahead of Max actually Max might help him take points of Oscar if that makes sense."

Oscar Piastri in the Singapore paddock - Photo: Race Pictures

When asked if McLaren should throw in their full support behind one driver, given the threat Verstappen poses, Barreto immediately saw Norris as the odd man out, given the 22 points lead that his teammate has on him in the standings.

"I think if Max takes a chunk out of them, they're going to have to consider that and Lando doesn't want them to do that. So I think to that point, he is going to have to start taking more points out quickly to make that decision harder," he concluded.

McLaren's meddling prompted Piastri-Norris tension

According to Sky Sports reporter Ted Kravitz, McLaren's meddling in trying to make the title fight as fair as it can be has only made matter worse, given the interpretations of the events and how they've played out for each driver. You can read his statements here.

The state of affairs in the drivers' standings sees Piastri holding a 22-points lead on Norris who is 41 points ahead of Verstappen with six Grands Prix and three Sprints left to go in the F1 2025 season.

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