McLaren CEO Zak Brown confirmed on Friday that if a scenario arises in the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix where team orders would guarantee either Lando Norris or Oscar Piastri would win their maiden Drivers’ Championship, that the team would be “crazy” not to issue such an order.
Norris enters the final race of the season with a 12-point lead over Max Verstappen in second place, with Piastri four points behind Verstappen. Norris is the only driver of the three who controls his own destiny in the title race, as he will win his first Drivers’ Championship if he finishes on the podium, regardless of where Verstappen or Piastri finish.
However, there is a scenario where Norris could need some help to secure his first title. As we outlined earlier in the week, Verstappen can win his fifth consecutive Drivers’ Championship if he wins the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, and Norris finishes fourth or worse.
Meaning that if Verstappen is leading in the closing laps of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, and Norris is stuck behind Piastri in fourth place, McLaren could instruct Piastri to let his teammate through, guaranteeing Norris both a podium finish, and his first Drivers’ Championship.
Speaking with Sky Sports F1, Brown confirmed that McLaren are “realistic” regarding the various title scenarios.
”Yes, of course. We’re realistic. We want to win this Drivers’ Championship,” began the McLaren boss.
”We’re coming into the weekend knowing that [Norris and Piastri] both have equal opportunity, even though there’s obviously a point spread.
”You don’t know how qualifying is going to go, reliability, but if we get into the race and it’s becoming pretty clear that one has a chance and the other doesn’t, we’re going to do what we can to win the Drivers’ Championship. It would be crazy not to.”
Brown also brushed aside the idea of Norris or McLaren facing any backlash, should team orders lead to a title.
”It’s a team sport, right? So, we’re trying to win the Constructors’ (title) as a team and we’re trying to win the Drivers’ as a team,” said Brown.
”I know that kind of sounds a bit strange, but if one of them can’t win, they want the other to win. And that’s what the team wants. And they are team players and we’ve already seen that last year, right?”
Team orders have been a frequent topic of discussion regarding McLaren, dating back to last season when Norris let Piastri through at the Hungarian Grand Prix. But Brown has no concerns that either driver would ignore a team order in the last race of the season.
“Yes, our drivers have always complied with team wishes just as we comply with their wishes. I’ve got no doubt either of our drivers will continue to race as they’ve done brilliantly in the best interest of the team,” added Brown in the FIA Press Conference.
Norris topped the timing sheets in the first hour of practice at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Piastri sat out the session as Pato O’Ward drove his car in FP1, satisfying the final rookie practice session requirement McLaren faced this season under F1 regulations.
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