F1 leader Piastri will not seek preferential treatment
Formula One F1 - Austrian Grand Prix - Red Bull Ring, Spielberg, Austria - June 26, 2025 McLaren's Oscar Piastri during the press conference ahead of the Austrian Grand Prix REUTERS/Gintare Karpaviciute
SPIELBERG, Austria - Formula One leader Oscar Piastri said he would not seek preferential treatment in the title battle with McLaren teammate Lando Norris and the pair will continue to race freely after a collision in Canada two weeks ago.
The Australian is 22 points clear of Norris after winning five of the 10 races so far, with 14 remaining including Sunday's Austrian Grand Prix.
Norris failed to score in Montreal after running into the back of Piastri's car while trying to pass for fourth place late in the race.
Piastri said he and Norris, who accepted blame, had cleared the air already after the race and there were no changes to the rules of engagement.
"We're still free to race, still fighting for a championship each. So, no, keep going racing and make sure that we don't come into contact again," he said on Thursday of the outcome of talks after Canada.
Asked about his "healthy" lead and whether he might seek preferential treatment, Piastri questioned the reporter's take on the situation.
"Your version of healthy is much bigger than mine," he said. "I just want, and we all want, a fair opportunity trying to win both championships. Especially in the Drivers' Championship because ultimately it can only be one of us.
"I think the situation has to change dramatically to start having those conversations, and they're a very long way away at the moment.
"So at the moment, all I can ask for is a fair chance to try and win the championship, and that's what I want as well. No, I'm not willing to enter those talks at all."
McLaren have won seven of the 10 races, with Red Bull's Max Verstappen taking two and Mercedes George Russell triumphant in Canada.
Despite McLaren's success, and 175-point lead over Mercedes in the constructors' standings, Piastri is only 43 clear of Verstappen in third place.
Canada was the first race this season without a McLaren driver on the front row or podium but Piastri sounded confident that they would be stronger in Austria.
"I think we kind of understand what went wrong in Canada. So, we'll try and have a better weekend here, but I'm confident we'll be back on top form," he said. REUTERS
Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Straits Times
an hour ago
- Straits Times
George Russell suggests Mercedes are still after Red Bull's Max Verstappen
George Russell (left) has suggested his contract renewal is being held up over Mercedes' ongoing interest in Red Bull driver Max Verstappen. PHOTO: AFP SPIELBERG, Austria - George Russell has suggested his contract renewal talks with Mercedes are being held up because the team are still keen to sign Formula One champion Max Verstappen. The 27-year-old Briton, winner in Canada two weeks ago, is out of contract at the end of the season while four-times champion Verstappen has a deal with Red Bull until 2028, subject to get-out clauses. Russell told Sky Sports television at the Austrian Grand Prix that Mercedes, constructors' champions eight years in a row from 2014-2021 and currently second to McLaren, wanted to return to the top. 'If you're going to be back on top you need to make sure you've got the best drivers, the best engineers, the best pit crew, and that's what Mercedes are chasing,' he said. 'So, it's only normal that conversations with the likes of Verstappen are ongoing. But from my side, if I'm performing as I'm doing, what have I got to be concerned about? There are two seats in every Formula One team.' Mercedes boss Toto Wolff made his interest in Verstappen clear in 2024 as he sought a replacement for seven-times champion Lewis Hamilton. In the end, 18-year-old Italian rookie Kimi Antonelli was handed the opportunity and has been setting a string of age records, drawing strong support from fans. Verstappen and Russell have had a series of headline clashes on and off the track over the past 12 months, with Mercedes likely to have concerns about pairing them together should the opportunity arise. Russell told reporters separately that team boss Toto Wolff has assured him he was performing as well as anybody on the starting grid. 'I think there's only one driver that you can debate in terms of performance - these are his words, these are not my words - so that's why I have no concern about the future,' he said. 'But there's two seats at every team and I guess he needs to think, who are those two drivers going to be for those two seats, and I guess that's what the delay is.' Verstappen, appearing in the main FIA press conference, was reluctant to talk about his future when asked if he would be driving for Red Bull in 2026. 'Do you want me to repeat what I said last year?... it's not really on my mind. Just driving well, trying to push the performance, and then we focus on next year.' REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
an hour ago
- Straits Times
Australia edge ahead on day of close calls in Barbados
Australia carved out an 82-run lead over West Indies on day two of the first test in Barbados on Thursday, with the hosts frustrated by several close umpiring calls that went against them. Australia, who were 92 for four at stumps in their second innings, continued their top-order struggles for a second consecutive day on a zippy Kensington Oval pitch that offered plenty for the pacers. West Indies resumed on 57 for four, trailing the tourists by 123 runs after bowling Australia out for 180 in their first innings. Two contentious umpiring calls helped Australia's bowling attack claw back control of the contest, dismissing the hosts for 190. What began as West Indies' day threatened to unravel after lunch, when captain Roston Chase was given out lbw to Pat Cummins for 44, despite his protestations that he had inside-edged the ball onto his pads. The Ultraedge technology offered no definitive evidence either way, sending an exasperated Chase back to the pavilion after his watchful 108-ball innings. The morning session belonged decisively to the home side as Chase and white-ball skipper Shai Hope, returning to test cricket after a four-year absence, navigated the Australian attack with increasing assurance in their 67-run sixth-wicket partnership. Controversy struck again when Hope, cruising towards a half-century on 48, edged Beau Webster into Alex Carey's diving gloves. Replays suggested the ball may have grazed the turf as the wicketkeeper completed a spectacular one-handed catch, but third umpire Adrian Holdstock ruled in Australia's favour. "We can only ask the questions, and then it goes to the officials," Aussie pacer Mitchell Starc said. "One went against us, a couple against them. That's what we have technology for." The twin dismissals proved to be the turning point, halting West Indies' momentum when a substantial lead seemed within grasp. At lunch, they had looked comfortable at 135 for five, with both batsmen displaying the patience and technique to potentially build a match-defining advantage. Instead, the Australian attack, led by Webster's probing line and Cummins' persistence, systematically dismantled the West Indies lower order to restrict the first-innings deficit to just 10 runs. The marginal decisions added another layer of intrigue to an already absorbing test match. "There was a partnership there between Roston and Shai," Starc added. "They showed if you could absorb pressure, there were runs to be scored. That is a bit of a blueprint. There are runs out there, but it is not going to be easy." Australia's second innings quickly mirrored their first-day struggles as Alzarri Joseph trapped Usman Khawaja lbw for 15, before teenage debutant Sam Konstas chopped Shamar Joseph onto his stumps for five. Josh Inglis departed shouldering arms to Seales, while Cameron Green edged to slip off Greaves for 15, leaving Travis Head and Beau Webster to navigate through to stumps on a pitch where runs remain precious currency. "It's an indifferent wicket," Starc said. "If you bowl the right areas for long enough, there are enough chances. There are a few bare patches, a few grassy patches, so it depends on where the ball is pitching." REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
an hour ago
- Straits Times
Impressive City show title credentials with Juve demolition
Jun 26, 2025; Orlando, Florida, USA; Manchester City forward Erling Haaland (9) controls the ball against Juventus FC during the second half during a group stage match of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup at Camping World Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images REUTERS Soccer Football - FIFA Club World Cup - Group G - Juventus v Manchester City - Camping World Stadium, Orlando, Florida, U.S. - June 26, 2025 Manchester City's Erling Haaland celebrates scoring their third goal with Manchester City's Rodri, Manchester City's Matheus Nunes and Manchester City's Tijjani Reijnders IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters/Nathan Ray Seebeck REUTERS ORLANDO, Florida - Manchester City produced an impressive display to thrash Juventus 5-2 and underline their title credentials at the Club World Cup on Thursday. The only team to advance into the last 16 with three victories, they showed intent and great finishing to top Group G, exposing Juve's defensive fragility in searing heat in Orlando. The game also saw Rodri make his first start for City since September, playing 67 minutes. WHY IT'S IMPORTANT By finishing top of their group, City will likely avoid a last-16 clash against Real Madrid, who will clinch Group H if they beat RB Salzburg later on Thursday. Juve will probably have to face the 15-times European champions, who are expected to welcome back France forward Kylian Mbappe following a bout of illness. KEY QUOTES Juventus coach Igor Tudor: "They were better. Better team. They controlled. It was difficult to play. Then we wanted to change a little bit to the team. It was not easy to make pressing this way. They were much better." Juventus goalscorer Teun Koopmeiners: "They had a lot of touches on the ball. First half, we stayed a little too low. When we recovered the ball it was quite difficult to come out. Second half, they were stronger than us and they scored a couple of goals. We need to learn from it." Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola: "I liked the way we did it. It has been a long time since we had a performance like this on and off the ball. The players were committed and we are happy to beat a top side. "This is just one game, but I think the players felt again what it was like to be a good team. The belief always comes from your performances, not your past." Guardiola on Rodri's return to the starting lineup: "We have missed him a lot. He knows exactly what he has to do with the ball, and his personality. I didn't expect him to play as many minutes. He will be ready for the next one." REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
