🔗 Share this article

McLaren along with F1 would benefit from any conclusive outcome in the title fight between Lando Norris & Oscar Piastri being decided on the track rather than without resorting to the pit wall as the title run-in kicks off at the Circuit of the Americas on Friday.

Singapore Grand Prix fallout leads to internal strain

With the Marina Bay event’s doubtless extensive and tense post-race analyses concluded, the Woking-based squad will be hoping for a fresh start. The British driver was almost certainly more than aware of the historical context of his riposte to his aggrieved teammate during the previous race weekend. In a fiercely contested championship duel against Piastri, that Norris invoked a famous Senna well-known quotes was lost on no one yet the occurrence which triggered his statement was of an entirely different nature from incidents characterizing the Brazilian’s great rivalries.

“If you fault me for just going an inside move through an opening then you don't belong in Formula One,” stated Norris regarding his first-lap move to pass that led to their vehicles making contact.

His comment seemed to echo Senna’s “If you no longer go for a gap that exists then you cease to be a true racer” defence he gave to the racing knight after he ploughed into the French champion in Japan back in 1990, ensuring he took the title.

Parallel mindset but different circumstances

Although the attitude remains comparable, the wording is where the similarities end. The late champion confessed he never intended of letting Prost to defeat him at turn one whereas Norris did try to execute a clean overtake in Singapore. In fact, it was a perfectly valid effort which received no penalty despite the minor contact he had with his team colleague during the pass. This incident stemmed from him touching the car driven by Verstappen ahead of him.

The Australian responded angrily and, notably, instantly stated that Norris gaining the place seemed unjust; the implication being the two teammates clashing was forbidden under McLaren’s rules for racing and Norris should be instructed to give back the place he had made. The team refused, but it was indicative that during disputes between them, each would quickly ask to the team to intervene in their favor.

Squad management and fairness under scrutiny

This comes naturally of McLaren’s laudable efforts to allow their racers compete one another and strive to be as scrupulously fair. Aside from creating complex dilemmas in setting precedents about what defines just or unjust – under these conditions, now covers misfortune, strategy and racing incidents such as in Singapore – there is the question of perception.

Of most import to the title race, six races left, Piastri leads Norris by twenty-two points, each racer's view exists on fairness and at what point their opinion may diverge from the team's stance. That is when the amicable relationship among them could eventually – turn somewhat into Senna-Prost.

“It will reach to a situation where minor points count,” said Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff post-race. “Then calculations will begin and back-calculate and I guess aggression will increase a bit more. That’s when it starts to become thrilling.”

Audience expectations and title consequences

For spectators, in what is a two-horse race, increased excitement will probably be welcomed in the form of a track duel rather than a data-driven decision regarding incidents. Especially since for F1 the other impression from all this is not particularly rousing.

Honestly speaking, McLaren are making the correct decisions for themselves with successful results. They secured their 10th constructors’ title at Marina Bay (albeit a brilliant success overshadowed by the fuss prompted by their drivers' clash) and in Andrea Stella as squad leader they possess a moral and upright commander who truly aims to do the right thing.

Racing purity versus team management

Yet having drivers competing for the title looking to the pitwall for resolutions appears unsightly. Their competition ought to be determined on track. Luck and destiny will have roles, yet preferable to allow them simply go at it and see how fortune falls, rather than the sense that every disputed moment will be analyzed intensely by the team to ascertain whether they need to intervene and subsequently resolved afterwards behind closed doors.

The examination will intensify with every occurrence it risks possibly affecting outcomes that could be critical. Already, after the team made their drivers swap places in Italy because Norris had endured a slow pit stop and Piastri believing he had been hard done by regarding tactics at Hungary, where Norris triumphed, the shadow of concern about bias also emerges.

Team perspective and future challenges

Nobody desires to see a title endlessly debated over perceived that fairness attempts were unequal. When asked if he believed the squad had managed to do right toward both racers, Piastri said he believed they had, but noted that it was an ever-evolving approach.

“There’s been some difficult situations and we discussed various aspects,” he stated after Singapore. “But ultimately it's educational with the whole team.”

Six meetings remain. McLaren have little wriggle room left for last-minute adjustments, so it may be better to just close the books and withdraw from the fray.