McLaren to Implement Team Orders for F1 Title in Abu Dhabi

McLaren CEO Zak Brown has reversed his previous stance, confirming that the team will employ team orders at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix if necessary to secure the Drivers' Championship. This pragmatic shift prioritizes the championship goal over individual driver parity, especially given the tight competition.

Why it matters:

After years of working to return to the top, McLaren's willingness to use team orders underscores the high stakes of the Abu Dhabi GP. This decision could be crucial in maximizing their chances for a Drivers' Championship, a title that has eluded them since 2008, reflecting a clear strategic intent to convert their strong season into ultimate success.

The details:

• Brown's previous statement last month indicated a preference for a scenario similar to 2007, where both McLaren drivers (Alonso and Hamilton) lost the championship to Kimi Räikkönen due to internal competition, rather than favoring one driver.
• During the FIA press conference in Abu Dhabi, Brown stated, "We're realistic, we want to win this Drivers' Championship." This marks a clear pivot from his earlier position.
• He clarified that team orders would only be invoked if one driver is clearly out of title contention, while the other still has a viable path to victory. "If we get into the race and it's becoming pretty clear that one has a chance and the other doesn't, we're going to do what we can to win the Drivers' Championship. It would be crazy not to."
• Brown emphasized the team's priority: "We're not going to not win the championship because we're trying to protect a third and a fourth or a sixth and a seventh, or however the situation may play out."
• When questioned about Oscar Piastri's compliance, Brown expressed confidence: "Yes. Our drivers have always complied with team wishes, just as we comply with their wishes. So I've got no doubt either of our drivers will continue to race as they've done brilliantly — in the best interest of the team."
• During FP2, Lando Norris showcased strong pace, topping the session and outperforming his main title rival by 0.363 seconds. Norris appeared very comfortable on a track he typically excels on.
• Conversely, Piastri struggled in FP2, failing to put together a strong lap and finishing outside the top ten, suggesting a potential disparity in performance that might necessitate team intervention if the title fight becomes critical.

What's next:

McLaren's clear strategy sets the stage for a dramatic finale in Abu Dhabi. While Norris's strong performance in practice is encouraging, the team's readiness to implement orders indicates a 'win-at-all-costs' mentality for the championship. The execution of this plan will hinge on race developments and the evolving title scenarios between their drivers and competitors. The effectiveness of this approach will be closely watched as the season reaches its climax.