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David Coulthard slams McLaren’s team orders chaos: will new leadership restore driver trust?

Arthur Ling by Arthur Ling
January 6, 2026
in Motorsports
Reading Time: 2 mins read
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David Coulthard slams McLaren’s team orders chaos: will new leadership restore driver trust?

June 1, 2008; Dover, DE, USA; Formula 1 driver David Coulthard (GBR) during a press conference before the Best Buy 400 at Dover International Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Former F1 star David Coulthard has ignited a firestorm of controversy surrounding McLaren’s handling of team dynamics, particularly in the wake of their controversial team orders. In a bold critique, Coulthard has spotlighted a glaring issue that many have overlooked, and it could signal a significant shift in how the racing giant operates.

The 13-time grand prix champion, who proudly wore the McLaren colors from 1996 to 2004, has taken aim at the practice of having race engineers relay crucial team instructions to drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri. Coulthard argues that such directives should come from higher up the food chain—namely, the team principal or the sporting director—rather than from engineers in the heat of battle.

Coulthard’s remarks shed light on a critical aspect of racing: the intimate relationship between driver and engineer. He compellingly likens their bond to soldiers in the trenches, highlighting that trust and unity are paramount. “The relationship between driver and engineer has to be unbreakable,” he declared during a recent episode of the Red Flags Podcast. “If you’re in the trenches together, you must know that you’re both going into battle side by side.”

The former racer did not hold back in his assessment of McLaren’s recent management of team orders, which have drawn heavy criticism over the past few seasons. He emphasized that when it comes to sensitive commands like “move over” or “don’t race,” the responsibility should lie firmly with leadership rather than race engineers. “The driver should absolutely believe that his engineer would say: ‘That’s not my job. My job is to get my driver winning,’” Coulthard insisted.

This impassioned critique comes just as McLaren prepares for a potential overhaul in its management structure with the anticipated appointment of Will Courteney as sporting director. Courteney, who previously led race strategy at Red Bull, could bring a much-needed fresh perspective to the team. Whether he will assume the role of communicating team orders remains to be seen, but Coulthard is optimistic about the change.

The former McLaren driver’s comments raise essential questions about the team’s internal dynamics and their approach to handling drivers. Coulthard’s insistence on a more hierarchical communication structure could pave the way for a rejuvenated McLaren, one that fosters stronger bonds between drivers and their engineering teams.

As the F1 season progresses, all eyes will be on McLaren to see if they heed Coulthard’s advice and revamp their strategy. With the pressure mounting and fans eager for a return to form, McLaren must navigate these turbulent waters wisely if they wish to reclaim their status among the sport’s elite. Will this shake-up be the catalyst for change? Only time will tell, but one thing is clear: Coulthard’s fiery critique is a wake-up call that McLaren cannot afford to ignore.

Tags: 1958-formula-1-season2025-mclaren-f1-championshipDavid CoulthardLando NorrisOscar Piastri
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