Forward of the title showdown Lando Norris says that staff orders haven’t been mentioned at McLaren, and he would not ask for them.
The Briton heads into the season finale 12 factors forward of Max Verstappen, and 16 forward of teammate Oscar Piastri. Whereas the chances naturally favour Norris, his teammate stays a contender.
Nonetheless, Verstappen stays the elephant within the room and understandably many – significantly within the British media – consider that because the outsider Piastri ought to be anticipated to assist his teammate with a view to guarantee a McLaren win.
“No, it is not been mentioned,” Norris informed reporters in Abu Dhabi. “Actually, I imply, I’d adore it,” he admitted. “However I do not assume I’d ask it.
“It is as much as Oscar if he would enable it,” he continued. “I do not assume it is essentially right down to me.
“It is the identical if it is the opposite method round,” he stated. “Would I be prepared to or not? Personally, I believe I’d, as a result of I really feel like I am all the time like that and that is how I’m. But it surely’s not likely as much as me. I am not going to ask it. I do not wish to ask it as a result of I do not assume it is essentially a good query.
“On the identical time, if that is the way it ends and Max wins, then effectively, that is it. Congrats to him and I sit up for subsequent yr. It does not change something. It does not change my life. He’ll deserve it over us.”
Requested if he nonetheless feels constructive after final weekend, the place he might have gotten the job executed… however for a fluffed begin and a strategic personal purpose, he stated: “I’ve clearly not been on this state of affairs earlier than. However on the minute, I really feel good. I actually do not consider it in any respect till you guys ask it on a regular basis. So, I am attempting to keep away from you guys as a lot as attainable.
“However that is additionally a part of the job,” he continued. “It is nothing new. It is nothing that shocks me or no matter. I’ve come into the weekend not considering of it for the final three days, simply enjoying some golf and being with my mates and having an excellent time. And I sit up for doing that on Monday. Whether or not I am hungover or not.
“So, yeah, actually it is fairly the identical. And I believe I will be the identical on observe as how I have been the previous couple of weeks. As a lot as there’s nonetheless been strain the previous couple of weeks, I’ve nonetheless felt comfy and I nonetheless really feel good within the automobile. So, yeah, all good.
“I suppose when it comes to place, after all, I’ve essentially the most to lose as a result of I’m the one on the high,” he admitted. “I will do my finest to remain there till the tip of the yr. Similar time, if it does not go my method, then I will strive once more subsequent yr. It’s going to harm most likely for a short while, however then that is life. I will crack on and attempt to do higher subsequent season.
“I additionally really feel just like the mentality of I’ve nothing to lose as a result of it is only a race for a championship. In 30 years’ time, I most likely will not consider it that a lot both method. I am not too bothered when it comes to I will do my finest I can. If it occurs, nice. If it does not, then I will strive once more subsequent yr.”
