Verstappen Claims Piastri 'Sold His Soul' to McLaren with Team Orders Compliance

Max Verstappen has launched a scathing critique of Oscar Piastri, stating the McLaren driver "sold his soul" to the team by complying with controversial team orders during the 2025 championship battle. Verstappen argued that by yielding position to Lando Norris at Monza while leading the title fight, Piastri surrendered his autonomy. The decision ultimately saw Norris clinch the World Championship, with Piastri finishing third and Verstappen mounting a late-season charge to finish just two points behind.

Why it matters:

The controversy goes beyond a single race, highlighting the intense psychological warfare and delicate balance between a driver's ambition and a team's strategy in a championship fight. It underscores the high-stakes environment where a single decision can alter the course of F1 history and adds a new layer of tension to the rivalry between Verstappen and the McLaren camp.

The details:

• The Monza Incident: At the Italian Grand Prix, McLaren ordered Piastri, who was leading the championship by 34 points, to let Norris by. This followed a slow pit stop for Norris, who had been ahead on the road before pitting, in a bid to create a "level playing field" between its title-fighting drivers.
• Verstappen's Emphatic 'No': When asked if he would have complied, Verstappen was blunt: "Definitely not. If you do that once without a clear reason, you sell your soul. The team can then do whatever it wants with you. And let’s not forget: Piastri was in the middle of the title fight."
• Championship Fallout: Piastri entered Monza as the clear favorite but finished the season third. His compliance is seen by many as a pivotal moment that allowed Norris to gain momentum and ultimately secure the title.
• Norris's Rebuttal: Lando Norris previously dismissed Verstappen's claims, suggesting the Red Bull driver is known for "talking nonsense a lot of the time" and that he doesn't have "much of a clue about" McLaren's internal situation.

Looking Ahead:

The drama from 2025 sets a compelling stage for the 2026 season, which will feature massive technical regulations that could reshape the competitive order.

• The internal dynamic at McLaren will be under a microscope as they defend their titles, with questions lingering over how they will handle similar high-pressure situations.
• Verstappen, despite narrowly missing out on a fifth championship, took immense pride in his comeback from a 104-point deficit, a run fueled partly by the internal strife at his rivals. He'll be eager to convert that momentum into a title challenge under the new rules.