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McLaren and Formula One could do with any conclusive outcome in the championship battle between Norris and Piastri being decided through on-track action rather than without resorting to the pit wall with the championship finale kicks off this weekend at COTA starting Friday.

Marina Bay race aftermath prompts team tensions

After the Singapore Grand Prix’s doubtless extensive and stressful debriefs concluded, McLaren is aiming for a fresh start. Norris was likely fully conscious of the historical context of his riposte to his aggrieved teammate during the previous grand prix weekend. During an intense championship duel with the Australian, that Norris invoked one of Ayrton Senna’s well-known quotes was lost on no one yet the occurrence that provoked his comment was of an entirely different nature to those that defined Senna's great rivalries.

“Should you criticize me for just going an inside move of a big gap then you don't belong in F1,” Norris said of his opening-lap attempt to pass which resulted in their vehicles making contact.

The remark appeared to paraphrase Senna’s “If you no longer go an available gap that exists then you cease to be a true racer” justification he gave to the racing knight following his collision with the French champion in Japan back in 1990, ensuring he took the championship.

Similar spirit but different circumstances

While the spirit is similar, the phrasing is where the similarities end. The late champion confessed he had no intent to allow Prost to defeat him at turn one whereas Norris attempted to execute a clean overtake in Singapore. In fact, his maneuver was legitimate which received no penalty despite the minor contact he had with his McLaren teammate as he went through. This incident was a result of him clipping the Red Bull of Max Verstappen in front of him.

The Australian responded angrily and, significantly, instantly stated that Norris gaining the place was “unfair”; suggesting that their collision was forbidden under McLaren’s rules of engagement and Norris should be instructed to give back the place he had made. The team refused, but it was indicative that during disputes between them, both will promptly appeal the squad to step in on his behalf.

Team dynamics and impartiality being examined

This comes naturally from McLaren's commendable approach to allow their racers compete against each other and strive to be as scrupulously fair. Aside from creating complex dilemmas in setting precedents about what defines fair or unfair – which, under these auspices, now includes misfortune, tactical calls and racing incidents such as in Singapore – there is the question of perception.

Of most import to the title race, with six meetings remaining, Piastri leads Norris by twenty-two points, there is what each driver perceives on fairness and at what point their perspectives might split with that of the McLaren pitwall. Which is when their friendly rapport between the two could eventually – become a little bit more Senna-Prost.

“It will reach to a situation where minor points count,” commented Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff post-race. “Then calculations will begin and back-calculate and I suppose aggression will increase further. That’s when it starts to get interesting.”

Audience expectations and championship implications

For the audience, during this dual battle, getting interesting will probably be welcomed in the form of a track duel rather than a spreadsheet-based arbitration of circumstances. Especially since for F1 the other impression from these events is not particularly rousing.

Honestly speaking, McLaren are making appropriate choices for themselves and it has paid off. They clinched their 10th constructors’ title in Singapore (albeit a brilliant success diminished by the controversy from their drivers' clash) and in Andrea Stella as squad leader they possess a moral and principled leader who truly aims to do the right thing.

Sporting integrity against squad control

However, with racers competing for the title looking to the pitwall to decide matters is unedifying. Their contest should be decided through racing. Luck and destiny will have roles, yet preferable to allow them just battle freely and see how fortune falls, rather than the sense that every disputed moment will be pored over by the squad to determine if intervention is needed and then cleared up later in private.

The examination will intensify and each time it happens it is in danger of potentially making a difference which might prove decisive. Previously, after the team made for position swaps in Italy due to Norris experiencing a delayed stop and Piastri feeling he had been hard done by regarding tactics in Budapest, where Norris won, the shadow of concern of favouritism also looms.

Squad viewpoint and upcoming tests

No one wants to see a title endlessly debated because it may be considered that fairness attempts had not been balanced. Questioned whether he believed the squad had managed to do right toward both racers, Piastri responded he believed they had, but mentioned that it was an ever-evolving approach.

“We've had several difficult situations and we discussed various aspects,” he stated post-race. “However finally it’s a learning process with the whole team.”

Six races stay. McLaren have little room for error for last-minute adjustments, so it may be better now to simply stop analyzing and withdraw from the fray.