McLaren Considers Team Orders to Protect Drivers' Championship From Verstappen

McLaren CEO Zak Brown has indicated the team might implement team orders between Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris to safeguard their position in the Drivers' Championship, particularly as Max Verstappen mounts a comeback.

Why it matters:

With Verstappen closing in on the Drivers' Standings, McLaren faces a critical strategic decision: allow their drivers to race freely or prioritize one to maximize championship points. This dilemma highlights the fierce competition at the top of F1 and the delicate balance between individual driver ambitions and team objectives, especially as Red Bull's form improves.

The Details:

• Verstappen's Surge: Max Verstappen has gained 41 points on Oscar Piastri's lead in the past three Grands Prix, making him a growing threat in the title fight.
• Strategic Dilemma: Brown acknowledges that while the team's current focus is 'one race at a time,' the evolving championship scenario could necessitate a shift in strategy.
• Past Precedent: Brown cited the 2023 Baku race, where team orders were used to help Lando Norris, as an example of McLaren's willingness to intervene strategically.
• Equal Opportunity (For Now): Currently, McLaren's policy is to give both drivers 'equal opportunity to try and win the Drivers' Championship.' This stance is under constant evaluation, race by race.
• Norris's Previous Repercussions: Following a lap 1 tangle in Singapore, McLaren held Norris responsible for contact with Piastri and indicated that 'sporting repercussions would be in order' for the British driver, suggesting an existing framework for internal discipline.

Between the lines:

Zak Brown's comments, while cautious, signal a clear shift in McLaren's internal thinking. The acknowledgment of Verstappen's threat and the willingness to enforce team orders, despite the current 'equal opportunity' stance, reveals a pragmatic approach to championship contention. The Singapore incident and its aftermath for Norris might also subtly influence how team orders are perceived and applied, potentially making it easier for the team to designate a lead driver if the situation demands it.

What's next:

McLaren will continue to assess the championship landscape on a race-by-race basis. The decision to implement team orders will depend heavily on Verstappen's continued performance and the points differential between Piastri and Norris. Should Verstappen's momentum persist, it's highly probable that McLaren will designate a lead driver to consolidate their championship challenge, marking a significant strategic pivot for the team.