Oscar Piastri Deflects Team Orders Question with Lando Norris Joke

Oscar Piastri faced an unexpected question in the post-qualifying FIA press conference ahead of the Monaco Grand Prix. The Australian driver, currently leading teammate Lando Norris in the championship by 13 points, was asked if he would be willing to help Norris secure the win in Monte Carlo, given both are in a title fight for McLaren.

Piastri had just qualified third for the race, while Norris took pole position and Charles Leclerc secured second on the grid. With only two pit stops required at Monaco for the first time, the usual benefit of starting at the front is less certain than in previous years. For more details on the new pit stop regulations, you can refer to the FIA’s official rules.

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During the press conference, the question of team orders and whether Piastri might “sacrifice” his own race for Norris led to a lighthearted moment. After a brief pause, Piastri deflected with a joke, asking Norris, “How much are you going to pay me?”

Norris joined in the banter, saying that Leclerc had just told him he would help Lewis Hamilton get the win. The exchange brought some laughter among the drivers before Piastri gave a more serious answer.

He made it clear that he wants to win, saying, “I mean, I want to win the race too. So let’s see what happens. I think it’s going to be a pretty chaotic race, but we’ll see what happens.”

The championship battle between McLaren’s drivers has added extra tension to the season. If the top three finish as they start, Piastri’s championship lead will shrink to just three points. To understand more about the current standings, check out the official Formula 1 championship table.

But if Piastri finishes below fourth and Norris wins, Piastri will head into the Spanish Grand Prix trailing his teammate. McLaren heads into Monaco at the top of the constructors’ standings with 279 points, well ahead of Mercedes at 147.

Red Bull and Ferrari follow with 131 and 114 points respectively. Oscar Piastri, at age 24, is in strong form, already a six-time Grand Prix winner and sits first in the 2025 F1 standings with 146 points.

Lando Norris, currently second with 133 points, is looking to capitalize on his pole position. Max Verstappen holds third place for Red Bull with 124 points, closely following the McLaren drivers.

George Russell, Charles Leclerc, and Lewis Hamilton fill out the top six in the drivers’ standings, showing how tight the competition is among the leading teams. Recent results have shown just how unpredictable this season can be, especially after McLaren’s pace at Imola.

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McLaren’s resurgence has put pressure on rivals, and new rules such as the mandatory two pit stops add more strategy into play. The team’s success so far has relied on teamwork and steady pace, but with both drivers fighting for the title, the dynamic could shift quickly based on race results or pit decisions. Their title hunt hasn’t been without its challenges though, following McLaren’s setback at Imola. For a deeper dive into McLaren’s historical performance, visit McLaren’s official heritage page.

As Monaco often delivers surprises, all eyes will be on whether McLaren employs team tactics or allows Piastri and Norris to fight freely for victory. Either way, the championship battle at the famous Circuit de Monaco promises drama for fans and could change the order at the top as the season continues.

John Martinez

John Martinez delivers real-time NASCAR Cup Series and Truck Series news, from live race updates to pit-lane strategy analysis. A graduate of the University of Northwestern Ohio’s Motorsports Technology program, he breaks down rule changes, driver tactics, and championship points with crystal-clear reporting.