The Formula 1 paddock at the Lusail International Circuit was buzzing on Thursday as drivers faced the media ahead of the crucial Qatar Grand Prix weekend. With only two races left in the season, the stakes could not be higher, particularly for McLaren's Lando Norris, who has his first mathematical chance to clinch the World Championship.
Norris Sees Equal Threat in Verstappen and Piastri
Despite the contrasting recent form of his two rivals, Lando Norris refuses to single out a primary threat. Max Verstappen arrives in Qatar with immense momentum, having secured four Grand Prix wins from the last seven races, including a dominant victory in Las Vegas. In contrast, his own teammate, Oscar Piastri, has not seen a podium since September.
Yet, Norris was unequivocal in his assessment. He stated that he views both drivers as equally formidable, praising their competitive spirit and incredible talent. The British driver expressed his excitement at the prospect of battling both on track for the championship glory.
Team Orders and Verstappen's Blunt Reaction
The question of team orders at McLaren was a hot topic. Team principal Andrea Stella confirmed he would not instruct Oscar Piastri to support Norris's title bid until it was mathematically impossible for the Australian to win himself. Piastri echoed this sentiment, affirming his intention to continue fighting for his own chances.
Red Bull's Max Verstappen responded with characteristic candour. He declared that he would tell his team to 'eff off' if faced with such team orders, firmly believing that drivers in contention should always be free to race. He hopes the battle remains open and competitive until the very end.
Hamilton's Ferrari Reassurance and Aston Martin's New Era
After making bleak comments about his 2026 prospects following a difficult race in Las Vegas, Lewis Hamilton performed a noticeable U-turn in Qatar. The seven-time champion clarified that his previous remarks were made in the heat of frustration immediately after a race. He insisted he has no regrets about his decision to join Ferrari and expressed excitement about the team's future development, acknowledging that building a winning project takes time.
Elsewhere in the paddock, Fernando Alonso weighed in on the major management reshuffle at Aston Martin. With the confirmation that Adrian Newey will take over as team principal in 2026, Alonso believes the team's leadership is now perfectly composed. He sees no room for further additions, such as Christian Horner, expressing full confidence in the trio of Newey, Andy Cowell, and team owner Lawrence Stroll.
Hadjar Confirms 2026 F1 Seat
In driver market news, Red Bull junior Isack Hadjar confirmed that his place on the 2026 Formula 1 grid is secure. Although he did not reveal which team he will be driving for, the announcement ends speculation about his future and suggests a significant promotion is imminent, potentially alongside Max Verstappen at the senior team.
