Norris issues blunt team order message to Piastri

• How Piastri can win the title

McLaren asking Oscar Piastri to sacrifice his own world championship bid to ensure his teammate wins would be totally “unacceptable”, according to George Russell.

Going into the final weekend of the F1 calendar in Abu Dhabi, Norris, Piastri and Max Verstappen remain in contention to be crowned champion, but with the Briton leading on points, speculation that his Aussie teammate will be asked to assist in securing the title.

Norris needs to finish in the top three to win his maiden world title, but any use of team orders would go against papaya rules which have been preached all season.

The scenario many have cited is that if Verstappen is leading the race going into the final laps and Piastri is set for a podium finish and Norris is fourth, would or should the Aussie yield position for his teammate?

“I don’t think it’s acceptable or reasonable to ask a driver who’s also in a shot of a championship in the very last race to move over for your teammate,” Russell said.

“They both need to be given a shot and if they lose out because of it, you just need to say the other guy did a better job and that’s racing.”

Piastri and Norris fronted the media on Thursday with team orders the question on everyone’s mind.

Last week, Piastri said he had been spoken to by Mclaren about helping Norris in Qatar which he refused to do.

Asked if it had come up heading into this weekend’s race in Abu Dhabi, the 24-year-old said: “It’s not something we have discussed.

“So, until I know what’s expected I don’t really have an answer until I know what’s expected of me.”

For Piastri to win the title, plenty of things must go his way.

If he wins the Grand Prix he needs Norris to finish 6th or lower and Verstappen’s result will not matter where as if Piastri finishes second, his teammate must be 10th or lower and the Red Bull not make the podium.

While the Aussie said no team order discussion had been had, Norris said he would not expect any favours… while also insisting he would help a teammate if the roles were reversed.

“I don’t think I would ask it, it’s up to Oscar if he would allow it,” Norris said. “I don’t think it’s down to me. It’s the same if it was the other way around. Would I be willing to or not? I think I would because I feel like I’m always like that and that’s just how I am.

“But it’s not really up to me and I’m not going to ask it. I don’t want to ask it because I don’t think it’s necessarily a fair question.

“If that’s how it ends and Max wins, then, well, that’s it. Congrats to him and I look forward to next year.

"Doesn’t change anything, doesn’t change my life. He will deserve it over us.”