Singapore Grand Prix: Oscar Piastri says he is ‘ready’ to help Lando Norris in title fight

McLaren went into the Azerbaijan Grand Prix with the intention of approaching Norris, the driver closest to championship leader Verstappen, as a driver.

Ultimately, Piasti was unable to help as Norris was caught by a yellow flag in qualifying and was only 15th on the grid. The Briton eventually finished fourth and Verstappen fifth.

Team boss Andrea Stella had said McLaren’s approach would be ‘reviewed’ after Baku.

Speaking at the press day in Singapore ahead of this weekend’s Grand Prix, Piastri cited Norris’s help on the way to victory in Baku as an example of how McLaren wants to race.

Norris supported Red Bull’s Sergio Perez on the lap before Piastri made his pit stop to ensure his team-mate could still get out on track ahead of the Mexican.

Three laps later, Piastri overtook Charles Leclerc to take the lead, holding the Ferrari driver behind him for the rest of the race and winning.

Piastri said: “Lando was definitely a factor in the race. He helped with some ‘tire saving’ with Checo.”

But he said it was impossible to discuss how things would develop between the McLaren drivers in Singapore.

Piastri said: “Until you get into a specific situation, it’s difficult to talk about it, except by demonstrating it on the track.”