Lando Norris blow as McLaren change Papaya Rules ahead of Las Vegas Grand Prix
McLaren had been using Oscar Piastri to support Lando Norris' F1 title bid as much as possible but that looks set to change now Max Verstappen is a shoo-in for the championship
Oscar Piastri said he will no longer automatically play second-fiddle to Lando Norris now that the Brit's title challenge looks to be dead in the water.
Norris had been gradually closing in on leader Max Verstappen. And, to support their driver's first shot at Formula 1 championship success, McLaren had altered their internal 'Papaya Rules' of engagement which essentially made the Brit their number one driver.
And Piastri had been happy to play the sidekick role for his team-mate. But, after Verstappen made it all-but certain that he will become a four-time F1 champion with his win from 17th in Brazil earlier this month, the Australian said the rules have changed ahead of the Las Vegas Grand Prix.
Asked if that was the case, Piastri replied: "Pretty much, yes. There are still some, let's say, very specific scenarios where I might be needed to help out. But for the very large majority of situations, it is back to how it was.
"The drivers' championship picture is very slim and the constructors' championship is certainly not over for us. It is certainly not a done deal, so that is definitely the biggest thing. So there are a very specific few scenarios that maybe I will still help out if that is what I am asked to do, but I am going into the weekend trying to win."
Piastri had made a point of stating several times that he was more than happy to do what was best for the team, even if that meant sacrificing himself for Norris at times. But he admits he is much more comfortable when given the clarity that he is able to race for himself now.
The Australian added: "To be honest, I was not that disappointed with giving that [Brazil Sprint race victory] up. Of course, I would have loved to have won the Sprint, but it is a very different scenario to a Grand Prix.
"I think I proved what I wanted to prove in terms of qualifying on pole, and that was just to myself. Even if I had won the Sprint, qualifying on pole was probably the more satisfying thing for me.
"I knew I did the right thing in the Sprint and that is good for me. So yeah, I am happy that we do not have to go into those kinds of things as much anymore.
"And obviously next year, I want to make sure that I am not in a position, championship-wise, to be subject to that. But, in reality, I probably needed to help out that one time in Brazil and that has been it. So it has been a lot of talk, but not much on-track action."
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