McLaren Addresses Potential 2007 Title Fight Repeat Amidst Verstappen's Threat

McLaren CEO Zak Brown acknowledges the potential for a 2007-style internal rivalry to hinder their F1 title bid, especially with Max Verstappen rapidly closing the gap. While committed to letting Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri race freely, the team is acutely aware of the risks involved in managing two championship-contending drivers.

Why it matters:

The F1 championship is heating up, and McLaren finds itself in a precarious yet exciting position. Managing two drivers fighting for the title, particularly when a rival like Max Verstappen is on a charge, requires delicate balance. The ghost of 2007 — when Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso's intense rivalry ultimately cost McLaren the drivers' title to Kimi Räikkönen — looms large, making internal team dynamics crucial to McLaren's championship aspirations.

The Details:

• Historical Precedent: In 2007, rookie Lewis Hamilton and reigning champion Fernando Alonso, both at McLaren, fought intensely for the title. Their rivalry became so acrimonious that it allowed Kimi Räikkönen to snatch the championship by a single point at the final race.
• Current Scenario: Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri are McLaren's current title protagonists. However, Max Verstappen has gained significant ground, reducing a 104-point deficit five rounds ago to just 40 points behind Piastri currently.
• McLaren's Stance: CEO Zak Brown explicitly stated the team will not favor one driver, reiterating McLaren's philosophy of allowing both drivers to compete on equal terms.
• Zak Brown's Quote: "That’s the risk, right? If you have two drivers like in 2007, where they equalled in points and Kimi barely beat them," Brown told RacingNews365. "But that’s how McLaren want to go racing. We want to have two drivers who are capable of winning the championship."
• Constructors' Championship Impact: Brown emphasized that establishing a number one and number two driver policy could compromise their constructors' championship efforts.

Between the lines:

McLaren's commitment to allowing both Norris and Piastri to race freely underscores a core philosophy, but it's a high-stakes gamble. The team believes that fostering equal opportunity for both drivers will maximize their chances in the Constructors' Championship, even if it introduces the 'risk' of a split Drivers' Championship outcome. This approach aims to avoid the morale issues and potential strategic missteps that can arise from imposing team orders too early, but it also means relying heavily on the drivers' professionalism and the team's ability to manage competitive tension.

What's next:

The coming races will be a true test of McLaren's strategy and the maturity of Norris and Piastri. While the team remains steadfast in its 'equal opportunity' policy, the pressure from Verstappen, combined with the historical precedent, will make every decision and every on-track battle intensely scrutinized. Success will hinge on both drivers maintaining a collaborative spirit while fiercely competing, a challenging tightrope walk for any championship-contending team.