Piastri Prioritizes Constructors’ Title Over Drivers’ Championship

Oscar Piastri has declared that McLaren will focus on winning the Constructors’ Championship, even if this means putting Lando Norris’s individual ambitions for the Drivers’ Championship on the back burner. Currently, McLaren is 42 points behind Red Bull in the constructors’ standings, but the team’s performance has significantly improved since Norris secured his first Formula 1 win at the Miami Grand Prix in early May.

With Piastri finishing in second place at the Belgian Grand Prix, McLaren has reached the podium in ten consecutive races, highlighting the growing competitiveness of their car. Norris, who is 78 points behind championship leader Max Verstappen, has 10 races remaining to try to close that gap when the season resumes with the Dutch Grand Prix from August 23-25.

In an interview with Sky Sports News, Piastri emphasized McLaren’s priority: “The first objective is to win the Constructors’ Championship for the team, and I think we have a very strong chance of achieving that. We have been closing the gap to Red Bull in the last six or seven races.”

Although Piastri also has personal ambitions in the Drivers’ Championship, he recognizes the importance of the constructors’ title for the team. “For me, the drivers’ standings, of course, I would like to finish as high as possible. I’m not completely out of the championship fight, it’s quite a challenge, but I want to deliver good races, build consistency, and really help the team win the Constructors’ Championship.”

Piastri added that if a situation arises where he needs to support Norris later in the season, it will be discussed. “If it comes to a point where I need to help Lando later in the year, then, of course, it will be something we discuss, but the first target is to win the Constructors’ Championship and try to do a good job for myself as well.”

Piastri’s stated focus on the Constructors’ Championship reflects a pragmatic approach by McLaren, aiming to consolidate its progress and secure a strong position in the Constructors’ Championship while still striving to maximize the performance of its drivers individually. The decision to prioritize the constructors’ title could be key to solidifying McLaren’s position as a dominant force in Formula 1.