Oscar Piastri refuses to rule out fighting Lando Norris: “Until someone finishes ahead of me, I can still win the title”. Oscar Piastri keeps the title fight alive in Abu Dhabi.

Piastri refuses McLaren team orders? Oscar’s response fuels doubts – Abu Dhabi GP

Oscar Piastri wants to fight for the title until the very end, and he has clear ideas about the potential team orders for the Abu Dhabi race. Qualifying did not reward the Australian driver, who will start behind Max Verstappen and Lando Norris. Since Thursday, paddock conversations have focused on possible team orders to help Lando during the race, but car number 81 does not seem fully convinced. Oscar Piastri will approach the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix with the intention of keeping his title hopes alive all the way to the finish line.

If the Dutchman wins, Lando Norris must finish at least third. Oscar’s situation is more complicated, and with this in mind McLaren has begun discussing potential team orders in case the British driver needs a position to secure the championship. Anything can happen in the race, and the outcome will not depend solely on the first corner of the opening lap. As we have seen in the past, scenarios can change in an instant, and Oscar Piastri still hopes to take advantage of every opportunity.

Piastri will respect the team orders

Tomorrow’s race will finally deliver the ultimate verdict on who will become the 2025 Formula 1 World Champion. Oscar Piastri starts on the back foot for the Abu Dhabi GP given his grid position, but that does not mean his hopes have vanished after qualifying. Anything can happen in the race, and the final result will only be decided at the chequered flag.

During Saturday’s press conference, Oscar fuelled some doubts regarding potential team orders to help Norris, should the team need to intervene: “I don’t know. I still don’t know exactly what is expected from me. But as long as Lando or Max don’t cross the finish line ahead of me, I still have a chance of winning the title,” the McLaren driver correctly pointed out.

Everything will depend on how the race unfolds, but Oscar Piastri wants to keep every scenario open until the very end of the Grand Prix: “So yeah, we’ll see how the race finishes,” he added. The start will be particularly delicate, with tension at its peak. In that phase, Norris may be more cautious than his rivals and therefore more vulnerable. It could be the ideal moment for Oscar to launch an attack—while avoiding unnecessary risks.