Oscar Piastri is ready to chase victory on home soil in Melbourne, but he won’t be taking crazy risks against teammate Lando Norris to make it happen. While McLaren isn’t forcing either driver to back down, the Australian makes it clear his main goal is getting the best result for the team.
We’re in for a thrilling start at Albert Park this Sunday. Norris has locked down pole position with Piastri and Verstappen right behind him.
“We’re free to race each other,” Piastri told reporters after qualifying. “I obviously want to win the race as much as Lando does.”
He quickly agreed with what his teammate had said earlier about their approach.
## Team First, But Racing Allowed
“Thinking about any team, not just McLaren, obviously, the number one rule is to have no contact and to give each other space. So that’s no different.”
But Piastri did add an important point.
“If there’s opportunities for either of us to take advantage of certain situations, then we will, and we’re free to do that. But ultimately, we are racing for the team. It’s a very important thing for us,” he stressed.
The young Aussie driver pointed to their previous success as proof of their approach working.
“I think we said numerous times last year, I think the teamwork that we show as drivers, but also as a team, is what won us the constructors’ championship last year.”
“The car has been strong for a while now, but I think also the team is very strong. So, that’s that’s as good as I can put it.”