Piastri accepts McLaren team orders but says he’s still free to race Norris

Oscar Piastri is ready to look at the “bigger picture” and help Lando Norris in his Formula 1 drivers’ title fight, but insists he will not simply be pulling aside to let his McLaren team-mate past.

Team boss Andrea Stella confirmed on Thursday that, heading into the Azerbaijan Grand Prix this weekend, Piastri had agreed to back Norris as he looks to hunt down Max Verstappen – but only in specific circumstances.

Discussions were held after Piastri passed Norris for the lead on the opening lap of the Italian Grand Prix last time out, with the pair ultimately losing out on victory to Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc.

Piastri had previously insisted he had to consider his own dwindling title ambitions rather than think about supporting Norris, but now concedes he will do what is best as McLaren chases glory in both championships.

“It has obviously been something we have discussed a lot in the last few days, selfishly as a driver in my own interests, of course team orders are not that fun but in saying that I realise there is a much bigger picture here than just myself,” he told AS/MS.

“I race for a team that has given me my opportunity in F1 and given me the opportunity to win races in Formula 1 within 18 months of being here, so I have a lot of gratitude for that but again the bigger picture is about much more than just me. We are trying to achieve both championships which for the team is an incredibly big thing.

“Of course the constructors’ is one thing but if you have the opportunity to win both championships in a year then as a team it is a massive objective to try and win both.

“Being selfish, I would prefer to not have it, but I am very aware it is not all about me and I’m happy to play a supporting role at this point in the season, I think any earlier in the season it would have probably been excessive, but I think now it is an appropriate time to try and help the team win both championships.”

Piastri insists rules have not been put in place at McLaren and he will still be free to fight for wins unless the situation calls for it.

“It still needs some more discussion, but I think the main point is it is not just me pulling over for Lando at every single race, that is how none of us – including Lando – want to go racing. Trying to go through all the scenarios is impossible and of course we don’t want to discuss that publicly,” he said.

“The…