With Verstappen Close Behind, McLaren Faces Tough Decision on Whether to Let Norris Pass Piastri in Brazil Sprint
McLaren is heading into Saturday’s Brazilian GP Sprint with a strategic dilemma on its hands. Oscar Piastri, who snatched Sprint pole from teammate Lando Norris, may find himself facing team orders if the two McLarens are running one-two with Max Verstappen lurking close behind. For Norris, every point counts in his battle against Verstappen, who currently leads the championship by 47 points. McLaren, aiming to inflict maximum damage on Verstappen’s lead, may see this as an opportunity to shuffle the positions in Norris’s favor.
Piastri made his intentions clear in Parc Fermé after the Sprint qualifying session: “Try to win, that’s the first thing.” However, he acknowledged later that if the team asked, he would be willing to let Norris pass. “I know that I’m not in the running for the drivers’ standings. For the team, it doesn’t matter which way around we are… I’ve said I would [relinquish a victory] from when we first had these discussions. It would be nice to win, but it’s one point different and it’s not the main race.”
Piastri’s openness to playing the team game reflects his understanding of McLaren’s broader championship objectives, as they hold a 29-point lead over Ferrari in the Constructors’ standings. But the prospect of McLaren CEO Zak Brown and Team Principal Andrea Stella potentially stepping in with team orders raises questions about how the “rules of engagement” will play out if the McLarens find themselves ahead of Verstappen on Saturday.
Piastri, who delivered a solid pole lap in the tricky conditions at Interlagos, is confident in his position, saying, “Starting from the best seat in the house, so try to make sure it stays that way.” However, as the Sprint unfolds, the spotlight will be on how McLaren handles the balance between honoring Piastri’s pole and maximizing points for Norris.
With the championship race nearing its climax and Verstappen’s lead far from insurmountable, all eyes will be on McLaren’s strategic moves in the Sprint. Will they swap positions to prioritize Norris’s title run, or will Piastri be allowed to race for his well-deserved Sprint pole victory? This team order decision could shape not only McLaren’s strategy but also the Drivers’ and Constructors’ battles as the season approaches its thrilling finale.
