Ralf Schumacher Warns McLaren of Max Verstappen 'Problem' Amidst Driver Rivalry

Ralf Schumacher expresses concern that the intense internal battle between McLaren's Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri could lead to a 'final collision,' potentially opening the door for Max Verstappen to re-enter the championship fight.

The tension between Norris and Piastri escalated after a first-lap clash at the Singapore Grand Prix, where Norris aggressively passed Piastri for third. While Norris secured the podium, Piastri finished fourth, leading to accusations of favoritism within McLaren for not intervening. However, Schumacher dismisses these claims, suggesting McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown does not harbor such a character.

Why it matters:

The escalating rivalry between Norris and Piastri risks McLaren's constructors' championship hopes and could allow Max Verstappen, who has shown recent resurgence, to close the points gap. A 'final collision,' as Schumacher warns, could be disastrous for McLaren, potentially costing them valuable points and providing a significant advantage to their rivals, especially Red Bull.

The Details:

• Singapore Clash: At the Singapore Grand Prix, Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri made contact on the first lap, with Norris moving past Piastri into third position. Norris maintained this position to finish on the podium, while Piastri came in fourth.
• Team Orders Debate: McLaren's decision not to intervene after the Turn 3 contact fueled accusations of favoritism towards Norris. Ralf Schumacher, however, stated on Sky Sport Germany's F1 podcast that Zak Brown is not the type to favor one driver.
• Verstappen's Resurgence: While still a long shot, Max Verstappen has begun to close the gap in the drivers' championship. Three rounds ago, Piastri held a 104-point lead over Verstappen, which has now shrunk to 63 points.
• Schumacher's Warning: Schumacher fears a 'final collision' between the McLaren drivers, similar to their Singapore incident but with more severe consequences. He emphasized that such an event would be particularly problematic if Verstappen concurrently wins races.
• Future Race Outlook: Schumacher believes the upcoming United States Grand Prix in Austin, with its medium-speed characteristics, could favor Red Bull, potentially increasing pressure on McLaren.

What's next:

With six rounds remaining, the intra-team battle at McLaren is at a critical juncture. Piastri currently holds a 22-point lead over Norris and a 63-point lead over Verstappen. The team's continued policy of driver neutrality will be tested, especially if Verstappen continues his strong performances. The upcoming races, starting with the US Grand Prix, will be crucial in determining whether McLaren can manage their internal rivalry and defend their championship position against a resurgent Red Bull.