<figure id="attachment_3221317" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-3221317" style="width: 1600px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-3221317" src="https://media.freemalaysiatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/a9847f63-max-verstappen.jpg" alt="Max Verstappen" width="1600" height="1000" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-3221317" class="wp-caption-text">Red Bull&#8217;s Max Verstappen claimed victory in the Las Vegas GP after McLaren’s double disqualification, putting him back in contention for a fifth title. (EPA Images pic)</figcaption></figure>
DOHA: Max Verstappen on Thursday welcomed McLaren&#8217;s decision not to implement team orders in support of Lando Norris ahead of the three-way fight for the drivers&#8217; title at the upcoming Qatar Grand Prix.
Red Bull&#8217;s four-time champion, who is level with McLaren&#8217;s Oscar Piastri 24 points adrift of Norris with two events remaining, said he was not surprised by the rival outfit&#8217;s move.
&#8220;You can&#8217;t do a better job than allowing them to race, because why would you suddenly now say that Oscar wouldn&#8217;t be allowed to race him (Norris) anymore,&#8221; Verstappen said.
The Dutchman colourfully added that if he were ever to find himself in such a situation with his team, he would be unequivocal in rejecting the order.
&#8220;If you&#8217;re a real winner and a racer, as a driver, then you go for it, even if you are behind,&#8221; he said. &#8220;I mean, otherwise, what is the point in turning up?
&#8220;Otherwise, you can just easily label yourself as a number two driver, which I think he (Piastri) doesn&#8217;t want to be.
&#8220;For me, I know that I am equal on points with Oscar and a lot still needs to go right, but I think it should be like that &#8211; that they are free to race and hopefully, we can make it a great battle until the end.&#8221;
Verstappen won in Las Vegas last weekend when both McLaren drivers were disqualified &#8211; a result which hauled him back into real contention for a fifth title.
But the 28-year-old knows that Norris can take his crown if he can outscore him and Piastri by two points this weekend.
&#8220;It&#8217;s definitely a better chance than it was before that (their disqualification) so we take it,&#8221; he said.
&#8220;You need to also be aware that even if you win everything, you still need a bit of luck so we&#8217;ll see how that goes. For us, nothing changes. We go all in. We have nothing to lose.&#8221;
Piastri had revealed earlier that the subject of team orders, in favour of Norris, had been discussed at McLaren.
&#8220;We&#8217;ve had a very brief discussion on it and the answer is no,&#8221; Piastri said.
&#8220;I&#8217;m still equal on points with Max and I&#8217;ve got a decent shot of still winning it, if things go my way. So, yeah, that&#8217;s how we play it.&#8221;

MatchPoint Times

Verstappen welcomes McLaren’s no team orders decision at Qatar GP

Red Bull’s four-time champion backs the rival team’s move letting their drivers race for the title in the three-way fight.

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