McLaren Prioritizes Fairness Over Favoritism, Even if it Means Losing to Verstappen

McLaren leadership has firmly stated its commitment to driver equality, even if it risks a repeat of the 2007 title loss, where Kimi Raikkonen clinched the championship amidst a fierce internal battle between McLaren's Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso. The team would rather see Max Verstappen win the championship than sacrifice its principles by favoring one of its own drivers, Lando Norris or Oscar Piastri.

Why it matters:

McLaren's unwavering stance on equal treatment for its drivers highlights a deep-seated organizational philosophy that values fair play and internal harmony over potentially securing a championship through controversial team orders. This approach, while admirable, carries the inherent risk of its drivers splitting crucial points, potentially allowing a rival like Max Verstappen to capitalize and claim the title.

The Details:

• Tight Championship Race: With only four races remaining, Max Verstappen has dramatically closed the gap, now just 36 points behind the lead after being 104 points adrift post-summer break. Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri are separated by a mere point.
• 2007 Precedent: McLaren acknowledges the risk of a repeat of the 2007 season, where internal competition between Hamilton and Alonso allowed Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen to snatch the title by a single point.
• CEO Zak Brown's Stance: On F1's 'Beyond the Grid' podcast, McLaren CEO Zak Brown emphasized that maintaining the team's principles of fairness is more critical than the championship outcome. He stated he would rather lose to a competitor who 'beats' McLaren fairly than for the team to 'beat themselves' by playing favorites.
• No Favoritism: Brown explicitly ruled out telling one driver to back down, especially with Norris and Piastri being so close in points. He believes sacrificing a driver's dream for a coin-flip decision goes against McLaren's racing ethos.
• Team Principal's Perspective: Andrea Stella, McLaren's Team Principal, echoed Brown's sentiments, likening his role to a parent with two sons, emphasizing that he cannot pick a favorite. He believes sacrificing the team's unified approach would be a greater loss than a championship defeat.
• Controversial Decisions: While committed to fairness, McLaren's decisions, such as the Monza position swap, have sometimes sparked controversy, demonstrating the difficulty of balancing equality with strategic race management.

What's next:

McLaren's commitment to driver equality will be rigorously tested in the final races of the season. If Verstappen does clinch the championship, McLaren's leadership is prepared to accept the outcome, viewing it as a testament to their principles rather than a failure.

• The team plans to regroup and focus on winning the championship next year, united and strong, regardless of the 2023 season's outcome.
• This approach sets a clear precedent for how McLaren intends to manage its drivers in future seasons, prioritizing internal dynamics and ethical racing over short-term championship gains.