Jacques Villeneuve ‘didn’t like’ what Oscar Piastri said in Azerbaijan Grand Prix interview

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Oscar Piastri could be subject to team orders at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix this weekend. McLaren have decided they will prioritise Lando Norris’ world championship bid for as long as he remains in contention.

The situation is under active review, so if Max Verstappen significantly extends his current 62-point advantage, Andrea Stella could restore parity. For the moment, though, Piastri could be forced to play second fiddle.

The Australian is 44 points and two places behind in the drivers’ standings, with the Ferrari of Charles Leclerc separating the McLaren pair. Leclerc won in Monza last time out, taking advantage of their first-lap battle.

Piastri appeared to surprise polesitter Norris by attempting an aggressive move around the outside of the second chicane, and that opened the door for Leclerc to snatch second. McLaren were no longer in control of the race, and Ferrari were able to execute a superior one-stop strategy.

It seems this was the scenario that prompted Stella and co. to reassess. It’s unclear exactly how Piastri will be asked to help.

McLaren’s new policy was the dominant story on Thursday in Azerbaijan. Lando Norris looked ‘sick’ of his media duties as he fielded relentless questions on the matter.

Jacques Villeneuve unhappy with ‘overly political’ Oscar Piastri interview

During his grilling in the pen, Piastri said he wouldn’t let Norris pass every time he’s ahead. He does accept, however, that winning the drivers’ title is ‘a big goal’ for the team.

After listening to his interview on Sky Sports F1, pundit Jacques Villeneuve expressed his frustration with the ‘overly political’ communications strategy at McLaren. The 1997 world champion claims the drivers can’t ‘say what they really feel’.

Villeneuve explained that, contractually, Piastri has to comply with team orders. And speaking earlier this season, Martin Brundle said Lando Norris’ McLaren deal would feature the same clause.

Norris accepted team orders at the Hungarian GP when the pit wall wanted to restore Piastri’s lead. He repeatedly expressed his reluctance before eventually doing so.

“I didn’t like this interview,” Villeneuve said. “It’s overly political. You can tell the drivers cannot say what they really feel inside. It’s only the contracts. They cannot stop Piastri from going for his own personal win, but they can force him to work for the team.”

What Mark Webber is doing behind the scenes at McLaren to protect Oscar Piastri

Piastri will give up a race win if asked, team principal Stella says. He knows it won’t be a permanent dynamic, and he can carry the team’s goodwill into 2025 and beyond.

As they tried to convince Norris to move aside in Hungary, McLaren stressed the importance of preserving his relationship with Piastri. That could now be vital to his title bid, even if his chances are still remote.

Behind the scenes, Mark Webber has been protecting Piastri’s interests. He’s put ‘pressure’ on the team’s leadership not to ‘do him over’.

Up to this point, there has been little public sign of tension between the two drivers. They still appear to be among the closest pairings on the F1 grid, but that relationship could come under growing strain.