The McLaren Dynamic: Between Team Orders and the Fight for the Championship
Formula 1, known for its unpredictability, often intensifies the drama with the rivalry between teammates competing for the drivers’ title. McLaren, with Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris as contenders, faces this paradox, seeking to balance fair play with individual ambitions.
The Italian Grand Prix this year has been a clear example of the difficulty of maintaining balance between both drivers. The team’s decisions and the precedents established in previous races, such as the 2024 Hungarian Grand Prix, have set the stage for the eight decisive races of the 2025 season.McLaren: Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris, in a close fight for the World Championship.
During the 2024 Hungarian Grand Prix, McLaren faced the difficult decision of favoring one of its drivers. Norris, who started from pole position, lost the position to Piastri at the first corner. To protect against an “undercut” from Hamilton, the team ordered Norris to pit first, granting him a fresh tire advantage. Although McLaren indicated that the positions would be reversed, Norris was initially reluctant to concede.
“I know you’ll do the right thing,” the race engineer told Norris.
Finally, Norris complied with the order, allowing Piastri to secure his first victory and a 1-2 for McLaren. This episode set a precedent: if the second driver is prioritized to protect him from a rival, it is expected that the positions on the track will be reversed.Podium: Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri’s McLarens.
In the 2024 Italian Grand Prix, the situation evolved. Norris, after a victory in Zandvoort, achieved the pole position in Monza. However, Piastri, following the team’s “Papaya rules”, overtook him. Norris, trying to avoid a collision, lost a position to Leclerc. After this race, McLaren agreed to support Norris’s campaign, although Piastri would not have to concede victories, but could be asked to concede positions.
In the sprint race of Brazil 2024, McLaren favored Norris, asking Piastri to concede the first position. Norris thanked Piastri for his collaboration.
In the 2024 Qatar Grand Prix, Norris returned the favor to Piastri. This action highlighted the sportsmanship between the drivers, despite going against team orders.
In the 2025 Australian Grand Prix, McLaren tried to control the battle between its drivers, demonstrating the team’s caution in allowing them to compete.
In the 2025 Canadian Grand Prix, a collision between Norris and Piastri was resolved with Norris taking the blame, which helped reduce internal tension.
In the 2025 Austrian Grand Prix, Piastri received a warning for an overtaking attempt on Norris, which served as an example of the fair competition rules established by McLaren.
In the 2025 British Grand Prix, Piastri requested, unsuccessfully, a position change after receiving a penalty. McLaren maintained its position of not intervening in the decisions of the stewards.
In the 2025 Hungarian Grand Prix, McLaren allowed Norris to employ an alternative strategy, demonstrating their policy of allowing competition between teammates.
In the 2025 Italian Grand Prix, McLaren implemented controversial team orders to benefit from a potential safety car. This resulted in a position swap between Norris and Piastri, sparking debate about the application of team orders and the precedents set.
McLaren’s decision to swap positions in Italy has sparked debate. The team claims that the priority was to favor Piastri, and that the position change was the result of a slow pit stop for Norris. McLaren will review its principles for future decisions, seeking to maintain transparency with its drivers.
