Source – Foxsports
Oscar Piastri is going to receive team orders from McLaren in order to support Lando Norris’s F1 championship campaign.
As the 2024 Formula 1 season approaches its final stretch, McLaren has made a pivotal decision to favor Lando Norris in his pursuit of the championship title. This move comes as the team prepares to impose team orders on Oscar Piastri to support Norris, who remains mathematically in contention for the driver’s title, trailing behind Max Verstappen by 62 points. With eight rounds remaining and 232 points up for grabs, McLaren has decided to take strategic measures to ensure Norris gets every advantage possible.
The conversation surrounding team orders took center stage after the Italian Grand Prix, where Piastri overtook Norris in the opening lap. Although McLaren had a strong showing, Max Verstappen’s rare off day, where he finished sixth, highlighted the team’s need to ensure they maximize their points. McLaren’s internal review post-Monza reaffirmed the importance of team unity in the title fight, prompting the so-called “papaya rules” to come into effect.
In a candid interview with BBC Sport, McLaren team principal Andrea Stella explained that the team would be prioritizing Norris’s title campaign but emphasized their commitment to fairness. “We want to be fair to both drivers,” Stella remarked, stressing the importance of the team’s collective goals over individual ambitions. Stella made it clear that incidents like the one in Monza, where McLaren’s one-two start saw them finish first and third, could no longer happen if the team was to challenge Red Bull and Verstappen in both the drivers’ and constructors’ championships.
What stands out in McLaren’s approach is how openly the situation has been communicated with Piastri. The young Australian driver, in his rookie F1 season, has impressed with his maturity and team spirit, offering his support to Norris despite the personal sacrifice it might entail. Piastri’s readiness to “give up a victory” if necessary shows not just a willingness to play the team role but also an understanding of the bigger picture at stake.
Stella’s comments have been backed up by McLaren CEO Zak Brown, who spoke about the decision on Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s podcast, *The Dale Jr. Download*. Brown explained that Norris’s position in the championship makes him the clear focus, with Piastri expected to help in the short term. However, Brown also acknowledged that if the title fight becomes mathematically impossible, Piastri would be allowed to chase his own opportunities again. He expressed confidence in Piastri’s future, calling him a “future world champion” and praising his long-term potential with McLaren.
The balancing act McLaren is attempting is no easy feat. With two highly talented drivers on its roster, managing expectations while pushing for a constructors’ title adds layers of complexity to the team dynamic. Brown highlighted the challenges, noting that while Norris is within touching distance of the title, the team must navigate the intricacies of supporting one driver without alienating another. In Monza, McLaren saw the dangers of internal competition, with their battle at Turn 4 leading to a suboptimal result for the team. This misstep serves as a reminder of the delicate nature of team orders in the high-pressure environment of F1.
McLaren’s decision is likely to generate significant attention as the season unfolds, with fans and pundits weighing in on the use of team orders in the modern era of the sport. While many may see it as a necessary step for Norris to challenge Verstappen, others may question whether Piastri’s role as a “supporting act” will stifle his growth as a driver.
Ultimately, the success of McLaren’s strategy will hinge on how well they can manage their two drivers and whether Norris can capitalize on the team’s focus. For Piastri, this season might be about patience and team loyalty, but the future looks bright for the young Australian, who has already shown the skill and temperament needed to shine in the sport. McLaren, now all in on their title bid, will be hoping this tactical shift can give them the edge they need as the championship race enters its final chapters.
