F1 | Rosberg sparks controversy: “McLaren has a favorite” – Abu Dhabi GP
Ahead of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Nico Rosberg has brought attention to a potential “bias” within McLaren favoring one driver over the other.
Rosberg reignited debate over alleged internal preferences at McLaren, suggesting that the British team may naturally favor Lando Norris over Oscar Piastri in the 2025 Formula 1 World Championship fight. His comments arrive on the eve of the Abu Dhabi GP, the season finale and a decisive moment for the championship.
Norris and Piastri are both still in contention for the title. The British driver leads the standings with a 12-point advantage over Max Verstappen and could secure his first World Championship if he finishes in the top three on Sunday. Piastri, 16 points behind his teammate, has slimmer chances of victory despite having led the championship for much of the season.
The Australian had built a 34-point lead over Lando Norris before a sudden performance drop in recent months. This decline sparked speculation among fans, some suggesting possible internal favoritism or even sabotage, especially considering Norris’ long-standing relationship with McLaren, having raced for the team since 2019.
Nico Rosberg’s comments
Speaking to Sky Sports News, Nico Rosberg said he sensed signals in that direction: “For Oscar, it’s a very difficult situation. He was the leader for most of the championship and seemed the dominant force, and then Lando came back.
“It’s also a British team, and you can feel it, I’m sure, without knowing exactly, but I’ve heard some whispers, like Mark Webber being there as the only Australian, and everyone tends a bit to favor Lando as the World Champion.”
The former world champion then highlighted Norris’ rising popularity: “And, of course, I think Lando in general, for everyone, even the fans, is the more popular driver. I’m also sure he’s quite appreciated within the team.
“So it’s a very tough situation for Oscar. And naturally, you start having negative thoughts, like: ‘Hey, maybe the team prioritized the other driver at that moment,’ or something like that. It’s inevitable. It’s complicated, and it won’t help him moving forward.”
Nico Rosberg’s words will only add extra tension to an already pressurised weekend inside the McLaren garage, where team principal Andrea Stella has repeatedly insisted both drivers are treated equally. Whether the perception of bias affects Piastri’s mindset – or the team’s strategic calls on Sunday – remains to be seen, but the seed of doubt has now been firmly planted by one of the sport’s most recent champions.
Leave a Reply