Steiner: McLaren — Verstappen's ally in the fight for the title

      Guenther Steiner is known for his provocative statements. This time the former Haas team principal called McLaren an ally of Max Verstappen in the fight for the title, and Oscar Piastri the number two of the Woking-based team.

      "A few races ago I was completely sure that Max had no chance of the title, but now I say yes," Guenther Steiner shared his view on the title fight on the Red Flags podcast. "His main ally in the title fight is McLaren. The papaya rules play into Max's hands."

      Steiner added that McLaren are backing Lando Norris, although verbally they declare equal support for both drivers: "Oscar Piastri is having difficulties right now, and I don't know exactly what they're related to. But from what I see I can assume that Oscar... He is not getting the team's support to win the title.

      In such a situation a driver can lose some confidence. Doubts begin, and from that problems with results arise.

      At the start of the season Oscar looked confident because he didn't feel the pressure, since he was McLaren's number two. Unofficially, of course. Officially they have equal chances, but Lando has been with the team longer, he's older and he has much more experience.

      Oscar then came in and started winning races, and everything was going well for him. But then the papaya rules began. I don't remember when they started telling him all those 'let your teammate through', 'give him the place' instructions. All of this only plays into Max's hands.

      In the end, I think Oscar lost some confidence, and in qualifying, when it's one-on-one with the car, he couldn't put in a good lap. In Mexico he started where he started. He simply had no chance."