Russell Weighs in on McLaren Team Orders Debate Ahead of F1 Title Decider
George Russell believes it would be "unacceptable or unreasonable" for McLaren to use team orders in the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, given both Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri are still mathematically in the running for the F1 Drivers' Championship. McLaren has stated they will let their drivers race, a decision that could lead to an unpredictable finale as Max Verstappen also contends for the title.
Mercedes driver George Russell believes it would be “unacceptable or unreasonable” for McLaren to implement team orders at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, especially since both Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri are still mathematically in contention for the title.
Why it matters:
McLaren's stance on letting their drivers race for the championship could lead to an intense and unpredictable finale, potentially affecting the outcome of the Drivers' title. With Red Bull's Max Verstappen also in the hunt, any intervention by McLaren could be controversial and widely debated, impacting the team's and drivers' reputations for fairness.
The Details:
- Championship Scenario: Lando Norris currently leads the standings by 12 points over Max Verstappen, with Oscar Piastri a further four points behind. All three drivers have a mathematical chance to win the Drivers' Championship in Abu Dhabi.
- McLaren's Stance: McLaren team principal Andrea Stella and CEO Zak Brown have consistently stated that team orders would only be considered if one driver is mathematically out of the title race. Both drivers remain committed to this policy.
- Hypothetical Situation: The scenario of Verstappen leading, Piastri in third, and Norris in fourth (which would put Verstappen in a championship-winning position) was presented to the drivers.
- Piastri's Response: Piastri stated that no decision has been made regarding whether he would move over for Norris in such a situation.
- Norris's Response: Norris admitted he would "love it" but will not directly ask the team for assistance.
- Russell's View: George Russell argued that asking a driver who still has a shot at the championship to move aside for a teammate in the final race is not "acceptable or reasonable."
- He contrasted this with past scenarios (e.g., Schumacher/Barrichello, Verstappen/Perez) where one driver was clearly out of contention, making team orders "absolutely reasonable."
- Russell emphasized that both McLaren drivers should be given an equal shot, and if they lose out, it's simply "racing."
What's next:
The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix is set to be a thrilling conclusion to the F1 season, with the Drivers' Championship on the line for three contenders. McLaren's commitment to letting Norris and Piastri race could lead to a dramatic finish, but also risks them losing the title if Verstappen capitalizes. All eyes will be on the race strategy and on-track battles to see if McLaren's 'fairness first' policy pays off or if a missed opportunity becomes a point of contention.