George Russell says McLaren should not have carried out team orders and should not have chosen to interfere with this Sunday’s F1 title race in Abu Dhabi.
McLaren’s Lando Norris leads Red Bull Racing’s Max Verstappen by 12 points in the world championship, with Norris’ team-mate Oscar Piastri four points behind in third.
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With Norris only needing a podium finish to secure his maiden title, it has been suggested that McLaren could instruct Piastri to pass Norris if necessary in Sunday’s race.
George Russell says McLaren should not interfere in F1 title race (Getty)
This would go against McLaren’s firm policy of treating both drivers fairly throughout the season. Mercedes driver Russell may have a say in the leaderboard, but he believes it’s too late for McLaren to change their approach.
“I don’t think it’s fair to any driver [Lando or Oscar]”, Russell told independent A small group of British journalists were in Abu Dhabi on Thursday morning. “If Max wins, he should win.
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“If they were in a position where Max was expected to win and Oscar could get Lando… I wouldn’t want to win the championship because my teammate has pulled over, especially if he was my opponent that year.
“I think that’s fine when this guy is clearly the No. 2 guy all season long. I don’t think it’s appropriate to do any team orders at this stage; you just have to accept your fate.”
Asked what he would do if put in Piastri’s potentially difficult position, Russell joked: “It’s easier to unplug the radio!
Lando Norris needs a podium finish to win his first F1 title with Oscar Piastri 16 points behind his team-mate (PA Wire)
“Obviously, if you’re in the team’s shoes, you have to [allow the pass]. But if you put yourself in the driver’s shoes… at the end of the day, two years from now, if Lando becomes champion and that’s how he wins, no one will remember. No one will really care.
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“But speaking for myself, as a racing driver, I don’t think at this stage of the season, considering they all have a chance… how can you discuss that in a morning meeting?”
While Norris needs to finish in the top three, any other result opens the door for Verstappen – who previously finished the season 104 points adrift of the top spot – to claim a fifth consecutive title.
However, Piastri needed to win the race and Norris would need to finish sixth or lower to win what now seemed an unlikely world title.