If either Lando Norris or Piastri wins the title this weekend, it will represent McLaren's initial title since Hamilton won it back in 2008.
Lando Norris has stated he does not envision a situation where he would ask team-mate Oscar Piastri to move over for him to aid his drivers' championship bid.
The 26-year-old Briton currently holds a twelve-point advantage over the Max Verstappen and a 16-point margin over his team-mate as they approach this weekend's closing race in Abu Dhabi.
All three contenders are still in contention for the title, with 25 points on offer for a victory and eighteen for the runner-up spot.
Norris must secure a top-three finish at the Yas Marina Circuit to be certain of claiming his maiden F1 title; he would lose out if, for example, Verstappen takes the win and he comes home in fourth.
If Piastri was placed ahead than Norris in either P2 or P3 with Verstappen leading, the team theoretically could instruct the Australian to let Norris overtake.
"It's not really up to me and I'm not going to ask it," stated Norris on media day. "I have no desire to ask because I feel it's necessarily a fair question."
"I don't know. It's up to Oscar if he would allow it, you know?" he added.
The Outsider's Viewpoint
Oscar Piastri is now the longest shot to secure his maiden drivers' title, as the 24-year-old must take victory on race day and for his team-mate to end up sixth or worse.
"It is not a topic we have discussed," said Piastri, who was competitive again in Qatar and came close to winning the race but ended up finishing second to Verstappen after a questionable strategic decision.
"Before I know what's kind of expected, I don't have an response," he stated.
If Roles Were Reversed
That said, Norris indicated if the situation was flipped and it was Piastri who was looking for assistance in the final race, he would be willing to let his team-mate pass.
"For my part, I think I would, simply because I think I'm that kind of person. That's just how I am," he affirmed.
Norris was 34 points adrift of Piastri following his DNF at the Dutch Grand Prix at the end of August but top-three finishes at Italy, Singapore, and the US, plus back-to-back victories in Mexico City and São Paulo, enabled him to regain control of the title fight heading into the closing stages.
He is aiming to become the eleventh British Formula 1 driver to be crowned champion of the world.
The McLaren driver originally took P2 at the Las Vegas race two weeks ago but a disqualification for both cars for McLaren gave that day's race winner Verstappen a lifeline back into the championship.
The three championship rivals answered questions during a busy press conference in Abu Dhabi on Thursday.
Verstappen's Charge
The Dutchman trailed Piastri by a massive 104 points after finishing P2 at his home grand prix in the Netherlands but he has fought his way back into the fight with five victories since the summer break, including last week in Qatar.
Verstappen's most straightforward path to the title is for him to win in Abu Dhabi and for Norris to end up fourth or worse.
"I didn't expect to be in the championship battle but here we are," joked Verstappen, who can equal seven-time champion Michael Schumacher's record of five consecutive drivers' titles if he wins the title in the UAE.
"Following the Dutch GP all bets were off. My father is rallying in Africa. My mother is content with the dogs," he said.
"Of course, they continually back me; my mother always lights a candle before every Grand Prix. But I guess they trust their son," he added.
Looking Ahead
Norris stated if Verstappen prevails over him and Piastri, then they will offer their congratulations and "look forward to next year".
He added: "It changes nothing, it doesn't alter my life. So he will have earned it over us."
