McLaren Considers Team Orders to Boost Norris’ Title Bid
McLaren is seriously contemplating implementing team orders to bolster Lando Norris’ chances of winning the Formula 1 Drivers’ World Championship, as the season approaches its critical final stages. The team’s internal discussions were sparked after Norris’ teammate, Oscar Piastri, secured a second-place finish at the Italian Grand Prix, just ahead of Norris. However, despite starting with a front-row lockout, both drivers were ultimately outpaced by Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, who claimed victory.
Max Verstappen, the reigning world champion, acknowledged the uphill battle he faces in retaining his title. After finishing in a lackluster sixth place with his Red Bull at Monza, Verstappen admitted, “At the moment, both championships are not realistic.” His lead over Norris has been reduced to 62 points with eight races remaining and a maximum of 232 points still available. This scenario leaves Norris with the daunting task of cutting Verstappen’s lead by an average of 7.75 points per race, slightly more than the difference between finishing first and second.
McLaren’s Strategic Considerations
McLaren team principal Andrea Stella has acknowledged the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. He noted, “Max is good even with his tongue, not only on track. He knows the car he is driving at the moment seems to provide him with some challenges, but we need to be better at capitalizing on the opportunities that Red Bull seems to offer by not being in their usual position to compete for podiums. I hope we will be in a condition to have these situations frequently in the future.”
Stella confirmed that McLaren would be re-evaluating their intra-team rules to maximize their chances in both the Constructors’ and Drivers’ Championships. “We have now to acknowledge that not only the Constructors’ Championship is possible but—with the performance we have at the moment in the car, and some of the struggles we see with Red Bull—even the Drivers’ is definitely possible,” Stella stated. “If we can achieve both, we need to put the team and Lando in a position to pursue both championships.”
The strategic focus on Norris is a pragmatic decision, given his current standing in the championship. While both McLaren drivers are mathematically in contention, Norris is in the stronger position from a points perspective. “If we want to give support to one driver, we have to pick the one in the best position,” Stella emphasized.
Norris’ Perspective on Team Orders
Lando Norris, while recognizing the potential benefits of team orders, expressed mixed feelings about the possibility. “I would love it,” Norris admitted, before adding, “It’s not up to me. It’s tough because, as any driver, you don’t want it. You don’t want things to just be played that way.”
Norris remains optimistic about his chances but acknowledges the ticking clock. “I wouldn’t say we’re running out of time, but time is going away slowly, and I still believe we can do it. The best way, simply, is just to win the race. And I didn’t do that today because of some silly things,” he reflected.
Stella also disclosed that the team had already discussed the championship scenario before the race. He admitted that had the race unfolded differently, McLaren might have considered alternative strategies to ensure Norris had the best opportunity to secure the win. “We could have played with some other variables that didn’t necessarily mean ‘now we swap position,’ because it looks a little brutal to ask a driver who is going to win a race to swap positions,” Stella explained.
Lessons from F1’s History of Team Orders
Stella’s extensive experience in Formula 1, particularly with Ferrari, gives him a unique perspective on the impact of team orders. He previously worked as a race engineer for both Michael Schumacher and Fernando Alonso, two drivers who benefited significantly from team orders during their careers. “Even with Ferrari, when there was a successful driver, the successful driver was successful because he gained the success on track,” Stella recalled. He noted, however, that even in cases of blatant team support, such decisions could backfire if not handled carefully.
Despite the potential controversy, Stella emphasized that supporting Norris could ultimately benefit Piastri as well. “If you support your teammate in winning the championship, it’s a big boost for the team. If we win both titles, it’s a massive boost, and Oscar benefits from a big boost to the team—even if he’s the other driver,” Stella explained. He also highlighted that Piastri, in the midst of only his second season in F1, has a bright future ahead. “The future is Oscar’s. He needs to make sure that when it’s time to support, the support he gives to the team and Lando is an investment.”
Red Bull’s Struggles and the Path Forward
Meanwhile, Red Bull’s recent performance woes have raised questions about their ability to defend their championship titles. Max Verstappen’s frustration was palpable after his sixth-place finish at Monza. “The car is undriveable,” Verstappen lamented. “It is a massive balance problem we have, and that, of course, is not only over one lap but also in the race. We basically went from a very dominant car to an undriveable car in the space of six to eight months. That is very weird for me, and we need to really turn the car upside down.”
Verstappen’s comments underscore the dramatic shift in Red Bull’s fortunes this season. After winning four of the first five races, Verstappen has not claimed a victory since the Spanish Grand Prix in June—a streak of six races. Red Bull team principal Christian Horner acknowledged the difficulties, admitting that Red Bull had the fourth-fastest car at Monza.
Red Bull’s motorsport adviser, Helmut Marko, pointed to recent updates as a potential cause for their struggles. “We lost it with some updates. We have to go back to when the car had a better balance,” Marko told BBC Sport, indicating that the team might need to revert to a previous car specification to regain their competitive edge.
Ferrari’s Resurgence and the Road Ahead
Ferrari’s performance at Monza, particularly Charles Leclerc’s win, suggests they could become a significant threat in the remaining races. Leclerc’s victory, bolstered by recent upgrades to the Ferrari, positions them as serious contenders for race wins in the coming weeks. The next race in Azerbaijan, where Leclerc has historically excelled, followed by Singapore—where Ferrari won last year—could further shift the championship dynamics.
Stella acknowledged Ferrari’s competitiveness at Monza, noting that “Leclerc was as fast as McLaren today because he could stay with Oscar in the first stint, and when you can stay with the race leader in dirty air, it means you are at least as fast.”
While McLaren must now contend with Ferrari as well as Red Bull, the potential for a multi-team battle adds a new layer of excitement to the championship race. With eight races remaining, the fight for the title is far from over, and strategic decisions like team orders could prove pivotal in determining the outcome of the 2024 Formula 1 season.
