McLaren to Discuss Team Orders for Season Finale in Abu Dhabi

McLaren team principal Andrea Stella has confirmed that discussions will take place with Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri regarding potential team orders for the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. While Norris leads the Drivers' Championship by 12 points over Max Verstappen, Piastri remains a mathematical contender, necessitating a collaborative approach if either McLaren driver is to clinch the title.

Why it matters:

McLaren's handling of this championship decider will be a crucial test of their long-standing philosophy of fair play and integrity. With both Norris and Piastri still in contention, albeit with varying probabilities, the team must balance individual aspirations with the overarching goal of securing the Drivers' Championship, potentially for the first time since 2008.

The Details:

• Fairness and Integrity: Stella emphasized that any decision on team orders will adhere to McLaren's core principles of fairness, integrity, and transparency with their drivers.
• Pre-Race Conversations: Further discussions are scheduled with Norris and Piastri before Abu Dhabi to confirm the team's race approach and ensure both drivers are aligned.
• Respect for Title Quest: Stella stated that if any driver is in a position to win the title, the team will respect their quest, indicating a flexible stance rather than a rigid pre-determined strategy.
• No Exclusion Policy: McLaren will not issue a call that excludes one driver if that driver is still in a position to win the championship on their own merit.
• Historical Context: Stella, having experienced title deciders with Ferrari (2007, 2010, 2012), is wary of F1 history, where the third-placed driver has sometimes won the championship (e.g., Kimi Raikkonen in 2007 and Sebastian Vettel in 2010).
• Piastri's Chances: Despite being 16 points behind Norris, Piastri is still considered a factor, with Stella noting his speed and deservingness to perform.
• Team Objective: The primary goal is for one of the McLaren drivers to beat Max Verstappen, especially given a strategic error in Qatar that prevented the team from fully capitalizing on their car's potential.

What's next:

McLaren's ability to execute a perfect race weekend will be paramount. The team's strategy will likely evolve as the race unfolds, prioritizing the championship for whichever driver is best positioned. These pre-race discussions are intended to set a clear framework, but the dynamic nature of F1 means flexibility will be key. The season finale will be a true test of McLaren's cohesion and strategic acumen under immense pressure, with the world watching to see if their commitment to fairness can lead to a championship victory.