McLaren may issue team instructions to Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri if needed to secure the Formula One drivers’ title at this weekend’s season finale in Abu Dhabi.
Max Verstappen of Red Bull trails Norris by 10 points, leaving the Dutch driver with a strong chance to overtake the McLaren pair. Piastri sits six points further back. After allowing both drivers to compete freely and maintaining strict fairness all season, McLaren CEO Zak Brown confirmed at Yas Marina that strategic calls could now be implemented.
“Absolutely. Our goal is to win this championship,” Brown stated. “If the race unfolds with one driver in contention and the other not, we’ll act to maximize our chances. Not doing so would be irrational.”
Should Verstappen lead, McLaren might ask Piastri to concede position to Norris, who needs third place or higher to clinch his first title.
Brown expressed confidence in both drivers accepting team decisions, when questioned about Piastri yielding to Norris. “They’ve always respected team directives, just as we respect their perspectives,” he said. “I trust they’ll continue prioritizing the team’s success, as they’ve excelled at all year.”
Norris and Piastri confirmed no direct discussions about such scenarios have occurred yet, though team principal Andrea Stella indicated after Qatar that plans would be clarified pre-race. McLaren’s equitable treatment of its drivers has drawn attention this season, but Brown denied any shift in approach.
“This isn’t a reversal,” he emphasized. “We’ll begin this race weekend like all others, offering equal opportunity. We’ll apply logic—we won’t risk losing a title over minor position swaps if one driver’s hopes fade. Our racing philosophy stays consistent.”
Norris remains the favorite, but Verstappen—a four-time defending champion—has erased a 104-point deficit since August’s Dutch GP. Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies praised Verstappen’s relentless form: “Max never errs. Even when the car isn’t optimal, his precision on starts, tire management, and racecraft is flawless.”
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