Ego v loyalty: F1 legends divided over Piastri and team orders

The Formula One world is divided on whether Oscar Piastri should obey team orders to help his teammate win the world title in Abu Dhabi this weekend.

For the first time in 15 years, the championship is down to the final race with three drivers in contention.

Lando Norris is top of the standings with a 12-point lead over Red Bull’s Max Verstappen while Piastri is four points adrift of the Dutchman.

All three remains mathematically in contention for the title and, up to this point, McLaren have insisted they would not ask either driver to sacrifice their own campaign for the other.

A lot must go Piastri’s way in order for him to be crowned world champion, but it is possible.

He must finish top two in the Grand Prix to have any chance.

If Piastri wins the race he needs Norris to be 6th or lower and it doesn’t matter where Verstappen places.

If Piastri finishes second he needs his teammate to be 10th or lower and Verstappen off the podium.

It's a long shot, but it's a chance.

The scenario most experts have put for former drivers for their opinion is this; Verstappen is leading the race going into the final laps, Piastri is second and Norris fourth. In this scenario, Verstappen would win a fifth consecutive title while Piastri would be no chance.

However, if the Australian yielded and allowed Norris to gain a position, the Briton would finish on the podium and snatch the title from Verstappen.

So, should Piastri be prepared to obey team orders in the latter stages of the race?

Yes, says former driver Ralf Schumacher:

"The first thing they have to do is figure out how it could have come this far," he said of McLaren’s season.

"You then have to change that, and you have to agree on that in advance in case a scenario occurs again.

"You have to ask internally: 'Oscar, are you ready? Are you ready, if Lando Norris is in front of you both in qualifying and the race, to help him at the moment when Max Verstappen is close?'

"Is Oscar willing to do that? You have to discuss that beforehand and then act it on at the moment. I think that's the only way to beat someone like Max Verstappen.

"Otherwise, he might just go home rubbing his hands as world champion."

Former world champion Jacques Villeneuve however believes Piastri should be out for himself.

“Will Piastri help Norris win the championship if he can’t? No, because until the last lap Piastri could still win the championship,” Villeneuve said.

“On the last lap, both Max and Norris could blow an engine.”