The recent double disqualification of McLaren during the Las Vegas Grand Prix has intensified discussions regarding the team’s strategy as the Formula 1 season enters its final stages. With the shadow of four-time champion Max Verstappen looming larger than ever, questions arise about whether McLaren should prioritize Lando Norris over teammate Oscar Piastri in their bid for the drivers’ championship.
Verstappen’s victory in Las Vegas initially seemed to keep him in the championship race. However, McLaren’s subsequent technical violation not only jeopardized their standings but also underscored the potential for history to repeat itself. The 2007 season, which saw McLaren’s two drivers spoil each other’s chances and hand the title to another team, is a painful memory for many fans. As the team heads to the Qatar Grand Prix, Norris currently holds a comfortable 24-point lead over both Verstappen and Piastri, with 33 points available over the weekend.
Norris can secure the championship by finishing third in the remaining races, including the Qatar sprint and main event, as well as the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on December 7. To win, he needs to outscore Verstappen and Piastri by just two points across these races, yet the challenge posed by Verstappen is formidable.
With the stakes now higher, McLaren must deliberate whether to prioritize Norris. Critics might argue that the team should have made this decision earlier in the season, particularly given the impressive performance of both drivers. McLaren has won 13 races against Red Bull’s six, with Norris claiming seven victories and Piastri six. This competitive performance raises the question: should team orders have been implemented sooner to back one driver over the other?
Yet, this complexity is not lost on McLaren’s management. Zak Brown, the team’s CEO, has consistently emphasized a philosophy of fairness. In a recent podcast, he stated, “We’re playing offense, we’re not playing defense.” He prefers a scenario where both drivers compete equally for the title rather than forcing one to concede their championship dreams.
The memory of the tumultuous 2007 season often surfaces in discussions about McLaren’s current strategy. That year, the rivalry between Fernando Alonso and rookie Lewis Hamilton allowed Kimi Räikkönen to clinch the championship. Brown’s commitment to a fair fight remains steadfast, even as the team faces the possibility of repeating past mistakes.
As McLaren prepares for the Qatar Grand Prix, team principal Andrea Stella echoes Brown’s sentiments. Having witnessed the detrimental effects of team orders during his tenure at Ferrari, Stella is determined to maintain a harmonious environment among drivers. The decision to impose team orders is often fraught with complications, and McLaren’s current situation exemplifies this challenge.
Could McLaren have avoided the disqualification that allowed Verstappen to re-enter the title race? Hindsight is always clearer, but the team did not foresee the impact of Red Bull’s upgrades or the minor technical infraction that cost them dearly in Las Vegas. The complexities of implementing team orders are further complicated by the unpredictability of the season.
Had McLaren decided earlier in the season to back Piastri, they might now be regretting that choice, given his recent decline in performance. Since his victory in Zandvoort, Piastri has lost a significant lead in the standings, dropping 34 points behind Norris and a staggering 104 points behind Verstappen. This scenario underscores the risk of placing all bets on one driver, which could ultimately strengthen Verstappen’s position.
As the Qatar Grand Prix approaches, the question remains: will McLaren choose to implement team orders? While the team has not shown signs of straying from its established philosophy, the unpredictability of Formula 1 could force a reevaluation. Both drivers have had their share of on-track incidents, raising concerns about potential collisions that could jeopardize the championship.
With 33 points available over the weekend, there is a plausible scenario where Verstappen could enter the Abu Dhabi finale with the championship lead. The thought of allowing a rival to gain ground is troubling for McLaren, especially given the high stakes of the remaining races.
As Brown and Stella continue to uphold their principles, the reality of not winning the drivers’ championship looms large. They are aware that there are no accolades for moral victories in Formula 1. Historical context also weighs heavily on their decision-making; McLaren’s last season as constructors’ champions without a drivers’ title was in 2022. Will they risk repeating this narrative in 2025?
In the coming days, McLaren will face a critical juncture. With the championship title now tantalizingly within reach, the decision to favor one driver over the other could determine the outcome of the season. The balance of ambition and strategy will be crucial as they navigate these pivotal moments on the track.
