Ralf Schumacher immediately dismisses what Bernie Ecclestone has said about McLaren and Lando Norris

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Lando Norris is the favourite to win the 2025 Formula 1 title at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, but he won’t benefit from any team orders.

Over the last few weeks, the Briton has been quite unlucky and might already have had things wrapped up by now without a disqualification at Las Vegas, which was McLaren’s fault.

He’s hunting his first drivers’ championship, as is teammate Oscar Piastri, but they’re also up against the formidable Max Verstappen.

Norris knows that he needs to produce a great performance in Abu Dhabi, in the biggest race of his career, or potentially be left with regrets forever.

Who do you think will clinch the 2025 title this weekend?

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Piastri could back Norris into the pack, according to David Croft, if he can get ahead, and it gives him a better chance of winning.

Others have also warned that Piastri could hurt Norris’ title bid, but from 16 points behind, he doesn’t really have much to lose.

READ MORE: McLaren’s interesting unseen tactic for protecting Lando Norris at the Qatar Grand Prix

Ralf Schumacher calls Bernie Ecclestone ‘ridiculous’ for saying McLaren favour Lando Norris

Jolyon Palmer has urged Norris to ‘reset’ before Abu Dhabi and thinks that it’s critical that he heads into the weekend with a clear mind.

McLaren will not use team orders, and team boss Andrea Stella has insisted that his drivers will be allowed to play things out.

But, a comment from Bernie Ecclestone a few weeks ago accused the team of favouring Norris: “McLaren prefers Norris in the second half of the season,” he told Sport.de.

Ralf Schumacher has fired back on the Formel1.de Podcast, calling such comments ‘ridiculous’ at this time of year.

“Well, first of all, I find such an assertion ridiculous from Bernie [Ecclestone]. OK, he likes to stir things up, the same goes for [someone else], of course. They want to create unrest in the team.

“You should just be careful with things like that now. We saw a reaction over the weekend. Kimi Antonelli, over the weekend, thank god, took another look, and apologised the next day because of the hatred that is now being spread online.”

READ MORE: Martin Brundle pinpoints the moment Lando Norris’s head ‘dropped’ during the Qatar Grand Prix

What does Lando Norris need to do to become the 2025 Formula 1 champion?

Norris’ title permutations are fairly simple heading to Abu Dhabi, where two other drivers can pip him to top honours still.

It means that he cannot afford to relax at all and must make sure that he puts his car to good use. It remains the best on the grid.

The Briton knows that finishing in the top three will be enough for him to be crowned champion in any situation.

His main problem will be if Verstappen or Piastri are ahead and decide to make his life difficult, backing him up into the pack behind.