Verstappen warns Piastri to 'never accept' McLaren F1 treatment

Max Verstappen has insisted Oscar Piastri is not a 'second driver' and that he would "never accept" the position in which McLaren has placed the 23-year-old.

As the F1 season draws to a close, the three-time F1 champion Verstappen finds himself in a championship battle with Lando Norris.

McLaren, in aide of that fight, has recently parked the well-covered papaya rules in favour of Piastri playing a supporting role.

It is a noticeable step-change for the Woking team, which has long maintained it has "two number one drivers", whilst instilling parity between the pair, even when it has been to the disadvantage of Norris.

Whilst still loosely defined and assessed on a race-by-race basis, it essentially means Piastri could be asked to move aside for his team-mate, who is looking to whittle down Verstappen's 52-point advantage with just six rounds to run.

It is a decision Verstappen disagrees with. When speaking to Motorsport.com, the 27-year-old argued the Australian was "too good" to be consigned to playing back up.

Norris himself has previously voiced his desire to win the drivers' championship on merit, without needing the help of Piastri.

"He's definitely not a [number two driver] and if I was him I would never accept it," Verstappen explained when discussing the two-time grand prix winner.

"For me, it's easy to talk, of course, because I've been in Formula 1 for 10 years and it's Oscar's second season, so it is always harder to put your foot down.

"But he's just a great F1 driver who doesn't deserve it to give up wins and positions and play second fiddle because he's asked to."

Verstappen feels that of Red Bull's direct competitors, the pairing of Piastri and Norris is the strongest.

The Dutchman was complimentary of the team now leading the constructors' championship, highlighting the rapid rate of development McLaren has shown since the start of last season.

That improvement means the papaya squad now leads Red Bull by 41 points and looks set to claim its first constructors' title since 1998.

When asked if the McLaren duo was the best rival line-up, Verstappen replied: "Yes, because they are closely matched and because they are both quick.

"McLaren has really put the right people in the right place, people that were already working at the team.

"The people there aren't all new hires, apart from people like [former Red Bull designer] Rob Marshall. But some staff have been given new roles, and you can see how quickly that can have an impact."