Oscar Piastri has downplayed suggestions that he might support teammate Lando Norris in securing victory at the Monaco Grand Prix, as both McLaren drivers remain locked in a tight battle for the Formula 1 drivers’ championship.
Heading into the prestigious race in Monte Carlo, Piastri holds a 13-point lead over Norris in the standings.
After qualifying third on the grid—behind pole-sitter Norris and local favorite Charles Leclerc—Piastri rejected the notion that he would “sacrifice” his own race to assist his British teammate in winning at the Circuit de Monaco.
If the top three finish in their starting positions, Norris would close the gap in the championship to just three points. Should Piastri finish lower than fourth and Norris take the win, the Australian would head into the Spanish Grand Prix trailing in the title race.
This year, Monaco will feature two mandatory pit stops for the first time. As a result, starting from pole position is not considered as significant an advantage as in previous years. This change has altered team strategies and prompted questions about how McLaren’s drivers will handle potential scenarios on race day.
When asked during a press conference if he would be willing to help Norris during the race—even at the cost of his own championship hopes—Piastri paused before responding with humor.
“How much are you going to pay me?” he joked, turning to Norris in front of the gathered media, including RacingNews365.
Norris replied with a laugh: “Charles [Leclerc] just told me he would help Lewis [Hamilton] get the win.”
Piastri then addressed the question more seriously, emphasizing his own competitive ambitions.
“I mean, I want to win the race too,” he said. “So let’s see what happens. I think it’s going to be a pretty chaotic race, but we’ll see what happens.”
The Monaco Grand Prix is known for its unpredictability, and with team dynamics now in the spotlight, fans can expect an intriguing showdown between the McLaren duo.
