In a thrilling twist leading up to the season finale in Abu Dhabi, McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown has dropped a bombshell: the team is ready to enforce team orders if it becomes clear that one of its drivers is in a prime position to snag the championship title. The stakes couldn’t be higher as Lando Norris, Oscar Piastri, and Max Verstappen battle it out for supremacy on the track, with Norris currently leading the charge by a mere 12 points over Verstappen, while Piastri trails just four points behind the Red Bull star.
All season long, McLaren has embraced its so-called “papaya rules,” allowing both drivers to race with reckless abandon — as long as they play fair. This approach has garnered applause from fans, delivering exhilarating duels and nail-biting finishes. However, as the championship race heats up, this strategy is facing heavy scrutiny.
In a dramatic press conference in Abu Dhabi, Norris and Piastri revealed that the idea of one driver yielding to the other had not yet surfaced in team discussions. But Brown’s comments to Sky Sports F1 have set the stage for a potential game-changer. “Yes, of course. We’re realistic. We want to win this drivers’ championship,” he declared, making it clear that if one driver is in contention while the other is not, team orders will be on the table. “It would be crazy not to.”
With the championship title hanging in the balance, Brown emphasized the importance of making strategic decisions during the race. “We’re coming into the weekend knowing that they both have equal opportunity, even though there’s obviously a point spread,” he stated, highlighting the unpredictable nature of qualifying and race day. “But if it becomes clear that one has a chance and the other doesn’t, we’re going to do what we can to win the drivers’ championship.”
Brown’s comments underscore a critical reality in motorsport: winning is paramount. “It’s a team sport, right? We’re trying to win the constructors’ championship as a team, and we’re trying to win the drivers’ championship as a team,” he said. “If one of them can’t win, they want the other to win. And that’s what the team wants.”
Team principal Andrea Stella also weighed in, reinforcing a commitment to fairness and integrity. “Whatever call we make in terms of using the collaboration of our drivers, we will have to follow some of our fundamental principles,” he said. “We want to be fair to our drivers and race with integrity. There will be conversations before Abu Dhabi to confirm our racing approach.”
With the championship title within reach, McLaren finds itself at a crossroads. As tensions rise and the finish line looms, the team’s commitment to collaboration and strategy will be tested like never before. Will they play it safe or gamble for glory? One thing is certain: the world will be watching as McLaren navigates this high-stakes showdown in Abu Dhabi!
