McLaren Urged to Use Team Orders to Secure F1 Title for Norris

Ralf Schumacher believes McLaren must be ready to implement team orders against Oscar Piastri to ensure Lando Norris defeats Max Verstappen for the F1 championship in Abu Dhabi. All three drivers head into the season finale with a shot at the title, making strategic decisions crucial for McLaren.

Why it matters:

McLaren finds itself in a rare and thrilling three-way championship fight heading into the final race. While both Norris and Piastri are contenders, the emergence of Max Verstappen as an 'interloper' threatens to snatch the title from the Woking squad. Strategic team management, potentially involving team orders, could be the decisive factor in securing McLaren's first drivers' championship since 2008.

The Details:

• Championship Standings: Heading into Abu Dhabi, Max Verstappen leads with 408 points, followed by Lando Norris with 396 points, and Oscar Piastri with 392 points.
• Norris's Path to Title: A podium finish for Norris at Yas Marina would guarantee him the world championship, regardless of Verstappen or Piastri's results.
  • If Verstappen wins, Norris needs to finish at least third to claim the title.
  • If Verstappen finishes fourth, he would win the title.
• Piastri's Path to Title: Piastri, 16 points behind Norris, can win the championship if he wins the race and Norris finishes sixth or lower. A top-two finish is essential to keep his hopes alive.
• McLaren's Stance: McLaren team principal Andrea Stella has indicated that team orders will not be imposed as long as both drivers are mathematically in contention.
• Hypothetical Scenario: Ralf Schumacher highlighted a critical scenario: if Verstappen is leading, Piastri is second, and Norris is fourth in the closing stages, Verstappen would be champion. However, if Piastri were to cede his position to Norris, moving Norris to third, the Briton would secure the title.

Between the lines:

McLaren CEO Zak Brown recently stated he would rather lose the title to Verstappen than be unfair to either of his drivers. This commitment to fairness, while admirable, could be a double-edged sword in a championship decider. Schumacher's argument underscores the tension between individual driver ambition and collective team victory, especially when facing a formidable opponent like Verstappen.

What's next:

Ralf Schumacher, a six-time Grand Prix winner, strongly urges McLaren to address this potential dilemma proactively. He suggests that the team must engage in a frank discussion with Piastri beforehand, asking if he is prepared to assist Norris if Verstappen poses a direct threat to the championship.

• Schumacher emphasized, "You have to discuss that beforehand and then act it on at the moment. I think that's the only way to beat someone like Max Verstappen."
• The decision on whether to implement team orders, and how to communicate it to their drivers, will define McLaren's strategy and potentially their championship fate in what promises to be a thrilling Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.