Norris Wants McLaren Team Orders on Piastri in Abu Dhabi, But Won't Ask

Lando Norris has expressed a desire for McLaren to implement team orders on Oscar Piastri in the upcoming Abu Dhabi Grand Prix to aid his championship bid, but stated he wouldn't directly ask his teammate. While McLaren hasn't discussed such a scenario, the topic highlights the delicate balance between individual ambition and team strategy in a tight championship fight.

Why it matters:

• With the championship battle potentially going down to the wire, every point is crucial. Team orders can significantly impact a driver's chances, especially if key rivals like Max Verstappen are performing strongly.
• The dynamic between Norris and Piastri, two highly competitive young drivers, will be under scrutiny. How McLaren handles this situation could set a precedent for future team strategies.
• The discussion also touches on the broader ethical implications of team orders in F1, where individual sporting integrity often clashes with team objectives.

The details:

• Norris explicitly stated, "I would love it, but I don't think I would ask it because it's up to Oscar if he would allow it." This indicates a respect for Piastri's autonomy while acknowledging the potential benefit.
• McLaren has not formally discussed team orders for Abu Dhabi, leaving the decision to individual driver discretion for now.
• Hypothetical Scenario: In an emergency where Verstappen is leading and Norris needs a specific position (e.g., fourth or higher) for the title, McLaren might consider sacrificing Piastri's race to ensure Norris achieves his goal.
  • Norris, however, prefers not to impose this decision on Piastri, acknowledging he wouldn't want to be asked the same question in reverse.
• Piastri's response was pragmatic: "It's not something we've discussed. Until I know what's kind of expected, I don't really have an answer until I know what's expected of me."

Between the lines:

• George Russell, commenting on the situation, ruled out similar team orders for Piastri despite his teammate's championship chances. Russell emphasized that team orders are typically reserved for situations where one driver is clearly dominant, citing examples like Verstappen–Perez or Schumacher–Barrichello.
• This perspective highlights the nuance in applying team orders: they are often justifiable when one driver is definitively out of contention or in a supporting role, but less so when multiple drivers from the same team are still actively in the fight or have strong individual ambitions.
• Norris's reluctance to ask for team orders directly, despite wanting them, shows a professional respect for his teammate and an understanding of the fairness involved in such a request.

What's next:

• The decision regarding team orders will likely remain a background consideration for McLaren heading into Abu Dhabi, especially if the championship scenario becomes extremely close during the race.
• How both Norris and Piastri perform in qualifying and the early stages of the race will heavily influence any potential strategic calls. The focus will remain on individual performance until a clear need for team intervention arises.