McLaren has sought to limit competition management for its two drivers as much as possible, but has confirmed it is prepared to use team orders at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix if necessary to secure the drivers’ championship.
Lando Norris holds a 12-point lead over Max Verstappen and a 16-point lead over teammate Oscar Piastri heading into the final race weekend of the season, with all three drivers still in the race for the title. If Verstappen wins the race and Piastri finishes ahead of Norris, there is a scenario in which the Dutchman could take the title ahead of either McLaren driver, and McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown has said team orders will be imposed if necessary.
“Yes, absolutely,” Brown told Sky Sports. “We are realistic. We want to win this drivers’ championship. We go into the weekend knowing that even though there is a clear points difference, we both have an equal chance.”
“We don’t know how qualifying will go, we don’t know about reliability, but if we go into the race and it becomes clear that one of us has a chance and the other doesn’t, we’re going to do everything we can to win the drivers’ championship. It would be strange not to do that.”
“We’ll see how the race goes, but just because we’re trying to defend third and fourth or sixth and seventh or whatever the situation is, that doesn’t mean we can’t win the championship.”
On Thursday, the two drivers were asked about the possibility of such a scenario, with Norris saying he would like to help if needed but would not ask for it, while Piastri said he needed to hear about the team’s plans before offering his opinion. Ms. Brown believes that is a request that should be complied with, given their relationship.
“This is a team sport, right? So as a team we’re trying to win the constructors’ race and as a team we’re trying to win the drivers’ race,” Brown said. “I think it sounds a little strange to say it like that, but if one doesn’t win, they want the other to win. And that’s what the team wants. They’re team players. We saw that already last year, right?”
“I saw it in the sprint in Brazil, and I think it was in Qatar. So I don’t think it’s unusual in any sport for teammates to sacrifice for each other to give the team what they want.”
