McLaren has made a stunning declaration in the Formula 1 title race, prioritizing fair competition over team orders, even if it means losing the drivers’ championship to Max Verstappen. This decision comes as Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri find themselves in a tight battle for the championship, with Norris recently reclaiming the lead in Mexico City, just one point ahead of Piastri.
However, Verstappen has emerged as a formidable contender, thanks to an upgraded Red Bull Racing car. The defending champion has dramatically reduced his deficit from 104 points after the Dutch Grand Prix to just 36 points with four rounds remaining. If Verstappen maintains his current momentum, he could secure a fifth consecutive championship in Abu Dhabi.
Historical Parallels and McLaren’s Stance
This situation echoes the 2007 season when McLaren drivers Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso ended the year tied on points after a fierce internal rivalry. Ferrari’s Kimi Räikkönen capitalized on their conflict to clinch the title in the final round in Brazil. McLaren’s management is acutely aware of this risk but remains steadfast in their approach.
Speaking on F1’s Beyond the Grid podcast, McLaren CEO Zak Brown emphasized the team’s commitment to fair competition. “I’d rather go, ‘We did the best we can and our drivers tied on points and the other guy beat us by one’ than the alternative, which is telling one of our drivers right now, when they’re one point away from each other, ‘I know you have a dream to win the world championship, but we flipped a coin and you don’t get to do it this year’. Forget it. That’s not how we go racing,” he stated.
“The best way to win the constructors is to finish first and second in the [drivers] championship, and the best way to win the drivers championship is to have two drivers going for the drivers championship.” – Zak Brown, McLaren CEO
McLaren’s Internal Dynamics and Criticism
McLaren’s decision to avoid team orders has sparked debate, with some critics suggesting it undermines their efforts to ensure equality throughout the season. The team’s internal racing rules, known as the ‘papaya rules’, have been applied to maintain fairness, sometimes leading to controversial interventions during races.
Despite the criticism, Brown remains focused on the team’s goals. “We are so focused on ourselves and doing the right thing and the commitment we’ve made to the racing team,” he said. “I think the reason why you see such a great relationship between Lando and Oscar is they know they have equal opportunity to win the world championship.”
Team principal Andrea Stella also defended McLaren’s approach, dismissing accusations of favoritism towards Norris. “When you are in my role, it’s like when you have two sons and somebody says, ‘Which one is your preferred son?’ They are my two sons, how can you say which one is the preferred one?” he explained.
“We are here to race. We are going to accept the discomfort that this causes when you approach racing like we do.” – Andrea Stella, McLaren Team Principal
Looking Ahead: McLaren’s Future Aspirations
As the season progresses, McLaren remains optimistic about their chances of securing the title. Brown and Stella are committed to maintaining a fair and competitive environment for their drivers, believing it will set the team up for future success.
“If Max is the champion at the end of the year, for us, the important thing is that we can say we have done our best — and we have done our best according to the way we go racing,” Stella remarked. “If Max wins this year, we say we’re going to win next year. We’re going to be there, and we are going to be there united as we are.”
McLaren’s focus on fairness and equality is not just about the present season but also about building a strong foundation for future championships. “McLaren wants to win in 26, in 27, in 28, and the conditions to do so, we create them now,” Stella concluded.
As the Sao Paulo Grand Prix approaches, all eyes will be on Norris and Piastri as they continue their battle for the championship, with Verstappen lurking as a potential spoiler. The outcome remains uncertain, but McLaren’s commitment to racing integrity is clear.
