Stella: Title Fight Could Strain McLaren Drivers' Sportsmanship

Stella: Title Fight Could Strain McLaren Drivers' Sportsmanship

The big picture: McLaren team principal Andrea Stella has praised the professionalism and sportsmanship between Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, but acknowledged that their relationship could be tested if the Drivers’ Championship fight intensifies.

Why it matters: The Woking-based squad has consistently emphasized fairness, allowing both men to race freely under their “papaya rules” while protecting team interests. However, an escalating title battle could push these principles to their limits.

The details:

• Stella cited Saturday’s qualifying at Monza, where Piastri readily gave Norris a tow to help him secure a place in Q3, as a clear example of their current ethos.
• “For some reason, as soon as Tom asked Oscar, I knew Oscar was going to do it,” Stella said, highlighting the quality of the individuals.
• However, he conceded that such courtesies might not last if the championship is on the line, like in the final race at Abu Dhabi.
• Stella noted that a driver has the right to refuse to help, though he would consider it “potentially not the most elegant move.”
• Currently, Piastri holds a 34-point advantage over Norris in the standings.
• They will also contend with pole-sitter Max Verstappen at Monza, adding another layer of competition.

What's next: Stella’s remarks underscore McLaren’s delicate balance between fostering individual driver excellence and maintaining a cohesive team environment. This dynamic may face further tests as the season progresses towards its climax, potentially challenging their established principles of sportsmanship.