Zak Brown Confident Piastri Will Obey McLaren Team Orders for Norris's Title Bid

McLaren CEO Zak Brown states there's "no doubt" Oscar Piastri will comply with team orders to support Lando Norris's F1 2025 title campaign at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. With Norris holding a 12-point lead over Max Verstappen and Piastri a further four points behind, McLaren's long-standing policy of driver equality is set to shift in favor of the team's best championship prospect as the race unfolds.

Why it matters:

McLaren's shift from strict driver equality to potential team orders underscores the high stakes of the 2025 F1 season finale. This strategic pivot could be crucial in securing a Drivers' Championship for the team, a title they haven't won since 2008. The decision reflects a pragmatic approach to championship contention, prioritizing the team's ultimate goal over individual driver freedom when a title is on the line.

The Details:

• Championship Stakes: The F1 2025 season concludes with three drivers mathematically in contention: Lando Norris (McLaren), Max Verstappen (Red Bull), and Oscar Piastri (McLaren).
• Points Standings: Norris leads Verstappen by 12 points, while Piastri trails Norris by 4 points, making him the clear outsider for the title.
• McLaren's Policy Shift: Historically, McLaren has maintained a policy of total fairness, allowing both drivers to race freely. However, Zak Brown hinted at a policy change for Abu Dhabi, suggesting the team would intervene if one driver has a "significantly better chance" at the title.
• Brown's Confidence in Piastri: Brown expressed confidence that Piastri would act in the "best interest of the team" and comply with any requests to support Norris.
• "Not a U-turn": Brown clarified that this isn't a U-turn but rather a common-sense approach to secure the championship. He referenced a similar scenario in Baku last year where support was given to the driver with the better chance.
• Driver Awareness: The team has communicated the "gameplan" for the weekend to both drivers, ensuring transparency.

What's next:

As the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix weekend progresses, all eyes will be on McLaren's strategy. While the team aims to give both drivers equal opportunity initially, the dynamic could shift rapidly based on practice and qualifying results, and crucially, during Sunday's race. Should Norris maintain his lead and Piastri fall further behind, McLaren's team orders could become a defining factor in who ultimately claims the 2025 F1 Drivers' Championship. The decision will not only impact the drivers' individual aspirations but also set a precedent for McLaren's future approach to intra-team competition in high-stakes situations.