Max Verstappen has claimed that Oscar Piastri “sold his soul” to McLaren by following team orders during the 2025 season.
Verstappen said that obeying team instructions in a title fight gives the team full control over a driver’s actions. He highlighted the Monza Grand Prix, where McLaren ordered Piastri to yield to teammate Lando Norris, despite Piastri being ahead on track.
At that point, Piastri was 34 points clear of Norris and looked like the favorite for the championship. He ultimately finished third in the standings, behind Norris, who became World Champion, and Verstappen, who narrowly missed out by two points.
In an interview with Blick, Verstappen said he would never comply with team orders in such a situation. “If you do that once without a clear reason, you sell your soul. The team can then do whatever it wants with you,” he said.
Lando Norris responded, suggesting Verstappen doesn’t fully understand McLaren’s strategy and noting that “an aggressive nature” is typical for Red Bull drivers.
Verstappen stood by his claim, saying that had he been in Piastri’s McLaren, the title fight would have ended sooner. He emphasized he does not interfere in competitors’ internal team matters but prefers to respond on track.
Despite missing out on a fifth World Championship in 2025, Verstappen was voted F1’s top driver by both peers and team principals. He praised his team’s performance, noting they came from 104 points behind to just two points in Abu Dhabi.
Looking ahead, Verstappen is preparing for the 2026 F1 season, where new chassis and engine regulations could reshape the championship battle.
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