McLaren Holds Firm: No Team Orders for Norris and Piastri Amidst Title Fight
McLaren CEO Zak Brown has firmly stated that no team orders will be imposed on Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri for the remainder of the season, provided both drivers can still mathematically win the F1 World Championship. This decision comes as both drivers, currently separated by 22 points, head into the Qatar Grand Prix with title aspirations. Piastri confirmed a brief discussion about supporting Norris, to which he declined, underscoring his own championship hopes. The team's 'straight talking' approach means an exciting, open contest, even with Max Verstappen still a threat.
McLaren's CEO Zak Brown has reiterated that the team will not impose team orders on Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri in Qatar, as long as both drivers remain mathematically in contention for the World Championship. This stance holds even with Max Verstappen, currently 25 points behind Norris, still in the running, potentially creating a three-way title battle for the 2025 F1 championship.
Why it matters:
McLaren's commitment to letting their drivers race freely, even in a high-stakes championship scenario, underscores their philosophy of fair competition and driver development. This approach could lead to an exhilarating conclusion to the season, but also carries the risk of internal competition inadvertently aiding a rival like Max Verstappen.
The details:
- Championship Standings: Heading into the Qatar Grand Prix, Lando Norris led the standings, with Oscar Piastri tied with Max Verstappen on 366 points, with Piastri ahead on countback due to more wins. After Saturday's Sprint, Piastri secured a dominant win, reducing the gap to Norris to 22 points. Verstappen finished fourth in the Sprint, now 25 points behind Norris and three behind Piastri.
- Brown's Stance on Team Orders: Zak Brown emphasized that team orders will only be considered if one driver is mathematically out of contention. Until then, both drivers will have an equal opportunity to compete for the championship lead, potentially until the final race in Abu Dhabi.
- Piastri's Position: Oscar Piastri confirmed that he had a "very brief discussion" with the team about supporting Norris's title bid and explicitly stated, "the answer is no." He highlighted his own championship aspirations, being tied on points with Verstappen.
- Open Dialogue: Brown clarified that these discussions are part of McLaren's "straight talking" culture, where all topics, no matter how sensitive, are addressed openly with the drivers to maintain a strong working relationship.
- Verstappen's Threat: Brown acknowledged Verstappen's formidable talent, likening him to a persistent antagonist in a horror movie, emphasizing that McLaren cannot afford to ignore his threat, despite focusing on their own performance.
What's next:
The Qatar Grand Prix could be pivotal. A victory for Norris would secure McLaren's first Drivers' title since Lewis Hamilton in 2008. However, any result short of that could keep Piastri and Verstappen in the hunt. McLaren's continued 'let them race' policy ensures an unpredictable and thrilling conclusion to the season as the battle unfolds on track, with the potential for the championship to go down to the wire in Abu Dhabi.