Max Verstappen hands McLaren clear team orders stance: 'They can f-off'

Max Verstappen has labelled McLaren's decision not to impose team orders on Oscar Piastri as "perfect," as he explained why he would have told a team to "f-off" in a similar situation. 

Following the double disqualification of Lando Norris and Piastri from the Las Vegas Grand Prix, Verstappen has roared into the F1 title fight and is now just 24 points behind Norris in the standings, as opposed to 42 prior to the expunging of McLaren's result.

Verstappen is tied with Piastri on 366 points, but the Australian has suffered a severe wobble in form, allowing Verstappen to build up momentum, with four wins, two seconds, and two thirds since the summer break, and a Sprint win. 

Heading to Qatar, where Norris can be crowned champion if he out-scores Piastri and Verstappen by two points, or one if he wins the main grand prix, McLaren has decided not to impose team orders on Piastri, who conceded that brief talks had taken place before McLaren decided to let both fight on, despite the looming threat of Verstappen.

Reacting to that decision, Verstappen explained why he would have told his team to "f-off" if he had received a team order to aid his team-mate.

Asked about McLaren's decision not to impose team orders on Piastri, Verstappen was gleeful. 

"No, it is perfect," he told media, including RacingNews365. 

"You can't do a better job than allowing them to race, because why would you suddenly now say that Oscar wouldn't be allowed anymore [to race Norris]?

"If that was said to me, I would not have rocked up, I would have told them to f-off.

"If you're a real winner and a racer as a driver, then you go for it, even if you are behind, I mean, otherwise, what is the point in turning up?

"Otherwise, you can just easily label yourself as a number two driver, which I think [Piastri] does not want to be.

"Then 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, that they are free to race, and hopefully, we can make it a great battle until the end."