Red Bull in a strong 'psychological' state

      "Oscar Piastri has indicated that McLaren quietly inquired whether he would consider assisting Lando Norris in his quest for the 2025 world championship, but he quickly dismissed the proposition.

      “We had a very short discussion, and my answer is no,” Piastri confirmed in Qatar. “I’m currently tied on points with Max and still have a solid chance of winning if circumstances favor me. That’s how we approach it.”

      Piastri and Max Verstappen arrive in Lusail both tied for second place, trailing Norris by 24 points, with two Grands Prix and a sprint remaining.

      This news pleased Verstappen. “It is perfect,” he grinned, knowing that a McLaren two-car shield around Norris would have significantly weakened his own chances. “If that had been suggested to me, I wouldn’t have participated - I would have told them to go away. If you are a true competitor and racer, you go for it, even if you are behind. Otherwise, what’s the point of showing up?”

      Norris, on his end, maintains that the pressure is not affecting him. “I only really think about it when you bring it up,” he told reporters. He also dismissed any psychological maneuvers: “I’m not on social media at the moment. I’m unaware of what others are saying. I’m sure they’re trying to say something - it’s part of the game. But it doesn’t impact me. I don’t even see it.”

      However, Red Bull is evidently leaning into the mind games. Mechanics placed a handwritten note - “It’s the same as last week” - outside the open garage while working on Verstappen’s car on Thursday, signaling a pointed message for McLaren-related photographers.

      Dr. Helmut Marko has also heightened the psychological stakes in Austrian media following the Vegas disqualifications. To Der Standard, he stated: “Verstappen's chances have improved significantly. The momentum is in our favor. We have nothing to lose - McLaren could lose everything.”

      And to Kleine Zeitung: “From a psychological standpoint, we are in a very favorable position. McLaren has to play it safe. You could see the pressure on Lando when Max was next to him on the grid.”

      Marko added that Verstappen is approaching the confrontation with characteristic aggression. “Max feels more relaxed and confident than he has in a long time. He’s like a terrier - a small dog, but extremely determined and fearless.”