Norris compared to Senna and Oscar Piastri likened to Alain Prost? No, however McLaren needs to pray title is settled through racing

McLaren and F1 could do with any conclusive outcome in the championship battle between Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri getting resolved through on-track action and without reference to team orders as the title run-in kicks off at the COTA on Friday.

Singapore Grand Prix fallout prompts team tensions

With the Singapore Grand Prix’s undoubtedly thorough and tense debriefs concluded, McLaren will be hoping for a fresh start. Norris was likely fully conscious of the historical context of his riposte toward his upset colleague at the last race weekend. In a fiercely contested title fight against Piastri, his reference to a famous Senna most famous sentiments was lost on no one but the incident which triggered his statement was of an entirely different nature from incidents characterizing Senna's great rivalries.

“If you fault me for simply attempting on the inside of a big gap then you don't belong in Formula One,” stated Norris regarding his first-lap move to pass which resulted in their vehicles making contact.

His comment appeared to paraphrase Senna’s “If you no longer go for a gap which is there then you cease to be a true racer” defence he provided to Sir Jackie Stewart following his collision with the French champion in Japan in 1990, securing him the championship.

Similar spirit yet distinct situations

Although the attitude is similar, the wording is where the similarities end. Senna later admitted he had no intent of letting Prost beat him at turn one whereas Norris attempted to execute a clean overtake in Singapore. Indeed, his maneuver was legitimate which received no penalty despite the minor contact he had with his team colleague during the pass. That itself stemmed from him touching the Red Bull of Max Verstappen ahead of him.

The Australian responded angrily and, notably, instantly stated that Norris's position gain was “unfair”; the implication being their collision was forbidden by team protocols for racing and Norris should be instructed to return the position he gained. The team refused, yet it demonstrated that during disputes of contention, both will promptly appeal to the team to intervene in their favor.

Team dynamics and impartiality being examined

This comes naturally of McLaren’s laudable efforts to allow their racers compete one another and strive to maintain strict fairness. Aside from tying some torturous knots when establishing rules about what defines fair or unfair – which, under these auspices, now covers bad luck, tactical calls and racing incidents such as in Singapore – there remains the issue regarding opinions.

Of most import for the championship, with six meetings remaining, Piastri leads Norris by 22 points, there is what each driver perceives on fairness and at what point their perspectives might split from the team's stance. That is when the amicable relationship among them could eventually – turn somewhat into the iconic rivalry.

“It will reach to a situation where minor points count,” commented Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff after Singapore. “Then calculations will begin and back-calculate and I guess aggression will increase a bit more. That's when it begins to become thrilling.”

Audience expectations and title consequences

For spectators, in what is a two-horse race, increased excitement will likely be appreciated as a track duel rather than a data-driven decision of circumstances. Especially since in Formula One the alternative perception from these events isn't very inspiring.

Honestly speaking, McLaren are making appropriate choices for themselves with successful results. They clinched their 10th constructors’ title at Marina Bay (albeit a brilliant success diminished by the fuss prompted by their drivers' clash) and with Stella as squad leader they possess a moral and upright commander who genuinely wants to do the right thing.

Sporting integrity versus team management

However, with racers competing for the title looking to the pitwall to decide matters is unedifying. Their competition ought to be determined on track. Chance and fate will have roles, but better to let them just battle freely and see how fortune falls, than the impression that every disputed moment will be analyzed intensely by the team to ascertain whether they need to intervene and subsequently resolved afterwards behind closed doors.

The scrutiny will intensify and each time it happens it risks possibly affecting outcomes that could be critical. Previously, after the team made their drivers swap places in Italy due to Norris experiencing a delayed stop and Piastri feeling he had been hard done by with the strategy call in Budapest, where Norris triumphed, the shadow of concern of favouritism also emerges.

Squad viewpoint and future challenges

Nobody desires to witness a championship constantly disputed over perceived that fairness attempts were unequal. Questioned whether he felt the team had managed to do right toward both racers, Piastri responded he believed they had, but mentioned that it was an ever-evolving approach.

“There’s been some difficult situations and we’ve spoken about various aspects,” he stated after Singapore. “However finally it's educational with the whole team.”

Six races stay. McLaren have little room for error to do their cramming, so it may be better now to simply stop analyzing and step back from the fray.