McLaren Prioritizes Team Orders to Prevent Verstappen's Fifth Title

McLaren is reportedly prepared to implement team orders in the final race of the 2025 Formula 1 season to ensure one of their drivers clinches the world title over Max Verstappen. With Lando Norris leading the standings by a slim margin, the Woking-based team aims to secure the drivers' championship after already winning the constructors' title.

Why it matters:

After a dominant run by Max Verstappen, McLaren's determined stance highlights the intense competition and strategic depth in Formula 1. Preventing Verstappen from securing a fifth consecutive title would not only signify a major shift in the sport's hierarchy but also cement McLaren's return to championship-winning form, a pivotal moment for the team and its fan base.

The details:

• Championship Stakes: Entering the final round, McLaren's Lando Norris leads the drivers' standings by 12 points over Max Verstappen and 16 points ahead of his teammate Oscar Piastri.
• Team Orders Confirmed: McLaren CEO Zak Brown has previously stated that team orders would be deployed if a driver is out of title contention, a policy he expects drivers to follow.
• Brundle's Perspective: Former F1 driver Martin Brundle suggested on Sky Sports that McLaren would prefer to "handle the nuclear fallout of moving their cars around" rather than letting Verstappen win, emphasizing the team's strong desire to win the championship themselves.
• Historical Context: McLaren's commitment to team strategy is reinforced by their past successful implementation of such orders, setting a precedent for the crucial Abu Dhabi race.

The big picture:

The 2025 season finale is shaping up to be a cinematic showdown, with three drivers vying for the ultimate prize. The battle extends beyond individual glory, representing a clash of eras and a potential changing of the guard in Formula 1. McLaren's proactive strategy underscores the high stakes and the lengths teams are willing to go to secure a championship in the fiercely competitive world of F1.

What's next:

The season culminates in Abu Dhabi, where the championship will be decided. Any incident—contact, reliability issue, or strategic misstep—could drastically alter the outcome. The lack of a sprint race and tire cap for the final weekend means a standard Grand Prix format, allowing for pure racing strategy to unfold. All eyes will be on McLaren to see how they manage their drivers and execute their plan to deny Verstappen his fifth title, a narrative that promises to captivate F1 enthusiasts globally.