Ralf Schumacher insists 'internal' McLaren driver decision made

Ralf Schumacher has insisted that McLaren has "internally" decided to favour Oscar Piastri in the drivers' title fight, rather than Lando Norris. 

The former F1 driver's claim follow the duo's clash in the Canadian Grand Prix, which saw Norris hit Piastri along the start/finish straight on lap 67. 

Norris' actions saw the Briton crash into the pit wall, triggering major damage which led to an immediate retirement. 

Despite retiring in Montreal, Norris only fell to 22 points adrift of Piastri, who finished in fourth at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve. 

Whilst Piastri's advantage is less than a race win, Schumacher believes the decision has been made by McLaren to favour the Australian.

"I believe that it is now internally decided that Piastri is the man the team will focus on in terms of the World Championship," Schumacher declared to Sky Deutschland.

"Lando shows too many weaknesses and makes too many mistakes, including his senseless driving into the back of Oscar in Canada.

"He has apologised and that shows what a great person he is. But it’s no use, because great people rarely win titles."

Norris 'faster than Piastri'

The Canadian GP in general was a huge disappointment for Norris, who qualified in seventh following another Q3 mistake. 

Norris did actually have stronger pace than Piastri in the most recent round, something Schumacher did hand him credit for. 

However, as identified by Schumacher, the Briton's major problem remains his head.

"This is the low point now because he has lost his nerve a bit,” Schumacher added. "You have to give him one thing, he was once again faster than Piastri. 

"He didn’t manage to do it in qualifying, but in the race he closed the gap and was simply better. He still has the speed, especially in the race. Norris has this sensitivity when it comes to the stress on the tyres.

"In [Alain] Prost’s time, one would have said ‘professor’. The only problem is in Lando’s head."