Lando Norris leads the World Championship with four rounds of the season remaining.

Lando Norris is leading the World Championship (Image: Getty)

F1 SHOCKWAVE: Bernie Ecclestone DROPS BOMBSHELL on McLaren — Claims Lando Norris Is the “Chosen One” While Oscar Piastri Is Being HELD BACK! And Wait Until You Hear Who He Says Will STEAL the Title…

The Formula 1 paddock is BUZZING — and once again, it’s Bernie Ecclestone lighting the fire. The 94-year-old former F1 supremo has sent shockwaves through the sport after his latest explosive comments about McLaren, suggesting that the British team secretly views Lando Norris as their “better champion” — while hinting that Oscar Piastri may be suffering from internal politics.

Yes, you read that right. With just four rounds left in one of the most dramatic F1 seasons in years, McLaren’s seemingly harmonious garage might be hiding cracks — and Ecclestone’s words have just poured fuel on the fire.

🏁 Norris Back on Top — But Trouble Brews Beneath the Surface

Lando Norris currently leads the World Championship after a stunning comeback win at the Mexican Grand Prix — his first victory since Silverstone back in July. It was the perfect response to weeks of speculation about his mental strength, form, and rivalry with his own teammate.

But that win came at a cost. Behind the smiles and champagne sprays, the mood in McLaren’s garage wasn’t entirely celebratory. After all, Oscar Piastri — the Australian sensation who had been leading the standings by a commanding 34 points just a few weeks ago — suddenly finds himself one point behind his British teammate heading into São Paulo.

It’s a brutal twist in what had looked like a dream sophomore season for Piastri. His early dominance, capped off by a seventh Grand Prix win in Zandvoort, made him the man to beat. But since then, the Aussie has been outpaced by both Norris and Max Verstappen, and the tide seems to have turned dramatically.

And now, Ecclestone’s bombshell comments are making fans wonder — is it really just bad luck, or something more sinister at play inside McLaren?

🔥 Ecclestone: “Something’s Holding Him Back…”

Bernie Ecclestone is backing Verstappen to win the crown (Image: Getty)

In a revealing interview with sport.de, Ecclestone didn’t hold back.

“When the season started, I thought the Australian driver would be world champion,” he admitted. “I thought he’d win easy, but something’s holding him back. I don’t know what it is. I don’t know whether it’s McLaren holding him back or what.”

That single line — “something’s holding him back” — has sent the F1 world into overdrive. Social media exploded with speculation that McLaren’s so-called “Papaya Rules” (their internal system ensuring equal treatment between drivers) might not be as balanced as the team insists.

After all, there have been moments. Hungary and Monza immediately come to mind — two races where Piastri was ordered to let Norris through, sparking outrage among fans who felt team strategy was skewed in favor of the British driver.

Ecclestone didn’t stop there. “There was a bit of a problem inside the team,” he continued, “where it looked very much like they were favouring the British driver.”

Cue the gasps.

🎥 “Lando Is the Star — He Likes the Camera”

Ecclestone, never one to mince words, suggested that McLaren’s loyalty may not be about lap times — but marketability.

“I think he [Norris] would fall into the star quality more,” Bernie said. “I think from that point of view, he would act better. He likes the television, likes the camera, likes to speak to journalists. So, I suppose that’s better for McLaren.”

Translation? In Ecclestone’s view, McLaren sees Norris as the face of their brand. A photogenic, camera-ready, English-speaking star — a sponsor’s dream.

That’s not to say Piastri isn’t talented (he’s widely hailed as one of the most precise drivers of his generation), but as Bernie implied, the Aussie might lack the media magnetism that modern F1 thrives on. And in a world where image sells as much as speed, that could make all the difference.

🧡 Inside McLaren: The “Papaya” Divide

Publicly, McLaren has maintained an image of unity. Team principal Andrea Stella insists that both drivers receive “equal treatment, equal opportunity, and equal machinery.”

But Ecclestone’s remarks reopen the debate about how “equal” things really are in a team fighting for its first drivers’ title in decades.

Behind the scenes, insiders whisper about subtle preferences — Norris getting priority on upgrades, or strategy tweaks favoring his side of the garage. It’s nothing new in F1 — history is filled with stories of teams “unintentionally” backing one driver — but in McLaren’s case, it could have serious consequences.

If the rumors are true, Piastri’s composure under pressure will be tested like never before. The Australian might be smiling in interviews, but losing a 34-point cushion to his teammate in just five weekends must sting.

🏆 But Bernie’s Bet? It’s NOT Norris…

Here’s where Ecclestone’s twist shocked everyone. Despite praising Norris’ charisma and hinting at McLaren’s favoritism, Bernie’s money isn’t on the Brit to win the title.

No — his pick remains Max Verstappen.

“There’s no doubt about that,” Ecclestone said firmly. “The car is super. They’ve done a good job with it. But Max is a little bit special. He’s a race driver. He gets on with what he’s supposed to be doing. He’s not political — he’s just a race driver.”

It’s classic Bernie — blunt, almost dismissive, but hard to argue with. Even with a 36-point deficit, Verstappen has the experience, focus, and firepower to turn the tables. The final four rounds — Brazil, Las Vegas, Qatar, and Abu Dhabi — are circuits where Red Bull traditionally excels.

So while Norris and Piastri may be locked in a civil war under McLaren’s papaya orange banner, Verstappen could quietly slip past both and snatch his fourth consecutive World Championship.

⚡ Final Laps, Final Drama

As Formula 1 heads to Interlagos, the atmosphere couldn’t be tenser. Norris is back on top, but his crown is anything but secure. Piastri, once the golden boy, now faces whispers of team bias. Verstappen, lurking in the shadows, looks poised for the kill.

And Bernie Ecclestone — as always — has dropped his grenade and walked away, leaving chaos in his wake.

Whatever happens next, one thing’s for sure: McLaren’s “friendly rivalry” has just turned into one of the most compelling title fights in years.

Fasten your seatbelts. The final four races are about to get explosive.