Steiner knows why Piastri is beating Norris: 'He's very non-Italian'

07:00, 26 Apr

byNorberto Mujica

Guenther Steiner believes Oscar Piastri's 'non-italianness' is giving him the edge on McLaren teammate Lando Norris, who at one point will be ordered to 'get in line', behind the Australian's bid for the title.

Piastri has edge on Norris, because he's very 'non-Italian'

Since the start of the season, Piastri has proven to be the quicker and more consistent of the two, with two poles to Norris' one, and three wins over his teammate's single victory at the season opener in Australia, which have earned him the lead in the championship standings. And Steiner sees a particular explanation to this.

"We all see it. He's so calm about things, so well behaved. There is nothing which seems to unsettle him. If he finishes second, yeah, he's not happy, but he's not throwing the toys out [the pram], he's very mature."

"Talent-wise, I think they're equal. He has just got that thing that he just stays calm. Whatever happens, he seems to be very non-Italian," a laughing Steiner added.

Verstappen will determine when McLaren choose their title contender

The season is barely going into its 6th round next weekend, the Miami Grand Prix. Therefore it's too early for the papaya team to pick which driver will be their contender for the title. But Steiner sees that it all depends on what Verstappen - and Red Bull - are able to do.

"If Max keeps doing what he's doing at the moment, I think they need to tell one to get in line."

Why? So far McLaren's dominance has not been truly dominant Steiner believes. "It's not a real dominance because every time something gets in the way. [But] if they're not threatened by anybody else, I think Zak (Brown, McLaren's CEO, ed.) lets them go [fighting] to the end."

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