Lando Norris isn’t even the best driver in his own team! F1 grandee John Watson says Brit doesn’t deserve No 1 status at McLaren

John Watson has called on McLaren to stop favouring Lando Norris, saying Norris would be an “unworthy champion” if he could not beat his “excellent” team-mate Oscar Piastri on merit.

Watson, winner of the 1981 British Grand Prix, was deeply impressed by Piastri’s victory in Azerbaijan on Sunday. He told Mail Sport: ‘He will be world champion one day, but I don’t know if Norris will be.

‘Piastri is a superstar. He showed exactly how to win a Grand Prix, under pressure, lap after lap. It was flawless in every way and he was as cool as a cucumber afterwards. And that from a man who is 23 and only in his second season.’

Watson passed Niki Lauda to win for McLaren at Long Beach, California, in 1983 from 22nd on the grid in a similar fashion to Piastri’s race-defining move on the unsuspecting Charles Leclerc at the weekend. The Australian then defended his lead doggedly.

“He didn’t show much emotion after that,” said Watson, 78. “He’s a real racing driver. With Norris, I don’t know if he’s a racing driver who’s also an influencer or an influencer who happens to be a racing driver. For Piastri, it was a case of get the job done and move on to the next race.

‘This great performance has changed everything and I would be extremely disappointed if McLaren were to show any more bias towards Norris in the future.

‘Norris has driven absolutely well this season, winning two races – one, in Miami, which was fortunate, and a thoroughly deserved one in the Netherlands. But he is still 59 points behind (Max) Verstappen, almost two and a half race wins apart, so to favour him from such a long way off is premature and grossly unfair to Piastri.

‘If it came down to the last race and he was within a few points of the title, I would understand. Yes, Oscar is further back (91), but stranger things have happened.

Watson believes Piastri (right) will one day become world champion, but he is not sure about Norris

‘Anyway, winning the constructors’ title is the priority for every team. Winning the drivers’ title is confetti, although sponsors like that.’

McLaren team boss Andrea Stella said the internal dynamics would be reviewed ahead of Sunday’s race in Singapore. He knows he faces a dilemma.

“We effectively have two number one drivers,” the Italian said. “And that means we approach things in the interest of the team. The interest of the team is to win the Constructors’ Championship and, yes, to win the Drivers’ Championship as well.

‘Lando had the best starting position for Sunday’s race, and that is still the case, so it is only logical that we supported Lando.

Watson was deeply impressed by the style of Piastri’s victory in Azerbaijan on Sunday

‘But on Sunday it was Lando who supported Oscar and helped him to his victory by riding for the team.

“This remains our approach. We have always intended to discuss the situation with the drivers after each event, to see what the best approach is for the next races, which we will do.”