Oscar Piastri has been warned that McLaren could sack him after this weekend.

Oscar Piastri has been warned that McLaren could axe him after this weekend (Image: GETTY)

Johnny Herbert has sensationally claimed that McLaren could sack Oscar Piastri if he ignores team orders at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. This weekend’s race will be a title decider with Piastri one of three drivers who could walk away with the end-of-season honours. His team-mate Lando Norris is the favourite but Max Verstappen could also secure a fifth straight title at the Yas Marina Circuit.

Norris only needs a podium to guarantee top spot in the standings, which could throw up an interesting scenario in the closing stages of the race. If the young Brit finishes fourth, Piastri comes third and Verstappen wins, the Red Bull driver would clinch the title. It has led to speculation about what could happen if the three drivers are running in that order towards the end of the contest.

McLaren could decide to order Piastri to let Norris through, with Herbert suggesting the Aussie could be axed if he fails to comply.

However, he believes Piastri should ignore any team orders that would stop him from winning the title himself, even if it means being ditched over a potential breach of contract”

Speaking to Vision4Sport, who provide Formula One tickets and packages, Herbert said: “If Oscar, for example, went against the team and said, ‘No, I’m not letting him pass’, they might get so miffed that say you’ve gone against the will of the team and it’s breached your contract so we’re going to drop you.

“If it’s a world championship, I’d rather go against the team and have that trophy on my mantlepiece. But going against the team is a risky thing.

“But if he’s in a mindset where he feels he doesn’t like the team environment, then who knows what he might do. For instance, could Ferrari take Oscar? Probably yes, the way things are going and if Lewis [Hamilton] calls it a day.”

 
This year’s title fight will reach its conclusion at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix (Image: GETTY)

It seems highly unlikely that McLaren would suddenly decide to get rid of Piastri, even if he defies team orders at the expense of his team-mate.

However, emotions will certainly be running high whatever happens in Abu Dhabi and it remains to be seen how the situation will play out.

McLaren team principal Andrea Stella recently said that discussions would be held regarding potential team orders ahead of this weekend’s race.

He told RacingNews365: “I think whatever call we make in terms of using the collaboration of our drivers, it will have to follow some of our fundamental principles, which are foundational to our approach.

“We want to be fair to our drivers, we want to race with integrity and we want to race in a way that doesn’t surprise our drivers. So, between now and Abu Dhabi, there will be further conversations with Lando and Oscar. We will confirm our racing approach.

“But certainly what I can say is that: If any of the drivers is in condition to pursue the quest to win the title, then we will respect this, and there will be no call which excludes the other driver when the other driver is in condition to win.”