Christian Horner comments on McLaren’s fresh Oscar Piastri dilemma, paying Lando Norris five times as much, two No.1 drivers, Azerbaijan Grand Prix

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has used Oscar Piastri’s second career Formula One win as an opportunity to pour fuel on the fire that is the ongoing confusion regarding the driver pecking order at rival McLaren.

Horner stirred the pot by saying that Piastri should be McLaren’s “No.1 driver” after his triumph at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix put McLaren in the lead in the constructors’ championship and added to the commentary over how the team should approach their team orders.

Lando Norris is in a fight with Red Bull’s Max Verstappen for the drivers’ championship and McLaren have been hesitant to implement team orders favouring Norris over Piastri in recent times but in the lead-up to the weekend’s race in Baku made the decision to give Norris preferential team orders to try overcome Verstappen.

Every qualifying session and race from the 2024 FIA Formula One World Championship™ LIVE in 4K. New to Kayo? Start Your Free Trial Today >

The Australian’s success muddied the waters however and Horner took the opportunity to take a shot at his rivals by declaring that there was no confusion for his team – Verstappen is his leader.

“Lando Norris . . . (McLaren are) paying (him) five times what they pay Oscar,” Horner said.

“So, I would assume that he would be their No.1 driver or their biggest asset.

“So, therefore, the confusion comes when you’re not up front from the beginning of what your plans are.”

Piastri now sits fourth in the drivers’ standings only 32 points behind teammate Norris who trails Verstappen by 59 points.

The Melburnian is mathematically still a chance to win the drivers’ championship with seven events remaining and a strong form line which included recording more points than any other driver during Formula One’s European leg of the season.

Piastri would still require a minor miracle as he would need to win all seven races and Verstappen could finish no better than fourth in any race.

McLaren team principal Andrea Stella addressed the situation by doubling down on the view that they have “two number one drivers”.

“I think I said already that we have two number one drivers, effectively. And having two number one drivers means that we approach things, first of all, in the interest of the team,” Stella told reporters after the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.

“The interest of the team is to win the constructors’ champions. And, yes, it’s to win the drivers’ championship.

“Lando was in the most favourable position before his race. I think he still is in the most favourable position. So more naturally, we would have supported Lando.

“I think we have evidence today that actually, interestingly, it was Lando supporting Oscar and enabling Oscar’s victory thanks to driving for the team and driving to support his teammates.

“So I think that remains our approach. We always intended to review after every event with each driver, with the driver together, what was going to be the best approach for the next races.

“We will do it and set the plan for Singapore.”