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F1 champion Nico Rosberg claims McLaren's “DNA” is hurting the team in the Red Bull title fight

Former F1 world champion Nico Rosberg has claimed it is not in McLaren's “DNA” to favour Lando Norris over Oscar Piastri, damaging their title challenge against Red Bull.

McLaren is breathing down Red Bull’s neck Constructors' Championshipand is only eight points behind the reigning champions.

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In the Drivers ChampionshipNorris is 62 points behind Verstappen with just eight races remaining.

Zak Brown has refused to name a number 1 driver in the team
Lando Norris is 62 points behind Max Verstappen in the drivers’ standings

This means the Briton must reduce the gap by eight points per race to win his first F1 title and prevent Verstappen from winning his fourth title in as many years.

McLaren has arrived criticized for not putting Norris first in his attempt to catch up with Verstappen, especially in Monza and Hungary this season.

If Norris had been allowed, retain his winning position at the Hungaroringand had the team ordered Piastri to swap positions At the last Italian GP, ​​the 24-year-old would have collected 10 extra points in the two races.

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Rosberg: McLaren DNA costs Norris F1 title

Rosberg is convinced that the team must get to grips with the predicament it finds itself in if it wants to try and win both titles.

Nico Rosberg won the F1 Drivers’ World Championship in 2016

“First of all, the situation is completely unexpected for them,” he said on the Sky Sports F1 podcast.

“Their racing DNA was: 'We're racing with two number ones and both have equal chances' and they certainly didn't see this situation coming.

“They really have to do that now. It's a big learning curve for them and requires a lot of thinking and deciding what the best approach is.

“But it goes against their DNA, because their DNA consists of two number one drivers, everyone has the same chances.”

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