Lando Norris dealt 'get in line' warning as McLaren change looms

Former Haas F1 team principal Guenther Steiner has warned Lando Norris that he could be told to "get in line" and support Oscar Piastri after the summer break should Max Verstappen remain a threat. 

Piastri has a 10-point lead in the F1 drivers' title over Norris following his third victory of the season in the recent Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, whilst the Briton finished fourth. 

Mistakes in recent rounds have cost Norris significant points, handing the small advantage to his team-mate. It has also allowed Verstappen to remain in the title fight. 

Unlike Red Bull, McLaren has opted for equal driver status within its team, rather than prioritising one over the other. However, this changed in the closing rounds last year, following Norris' title pursuit. 

Steiner does not believe a change in driver status will take place yet, although he has warned Norris that he could be asked to support Piastri after the summer break if his team-mate is in the lead and Verstappen is still a threat. 

"It's too soon," insisted Steiner, speaking on the Red Flags podcast. "But if Max keeps doing what he's doing at the moment, I think they need to tell one to get in line. 

"I was thinking, if McLaren can be, I would say, quite dominant – It's not a real dominance [now], because every time something gets in their way – if they're not threatened by anybody else, I think Zak [Brown] lets them go to the end. That's my opinion. 

"But if Max comes close, I think after the summer break, there will be 'Lando get in line'."

Piastri and Norris 'equal' talent

Piastri is the only driver this season to have won multiple races and has looked flawless since his costly error in the Australian Grand Prix. 

Since losing a podium in his home race, the McLaren driver has not made a single error, unlike Norris. 

The 24-year-old, who has Italian, Chinese, Yugoslavian, Scottish and Irish heritage, is quickly becoming many people's title favourite,

"Yes, we all see it," said Steiner, when discussing whether Piastri is an emerging talent. "He's so calm about things, so well behaved.

"There is nothing which seems to unsettle him. If he finishes second, he's not happy, but he's not throwing the toys out. He's very mature.

"And that's what I always said, because talent-wise, I think [Norris and Piastri] they're equal. He has just got that thing that he just stays calm, whatever happens.

"He seems to be very non-Italian!"