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McLaren along with F1 could do with anything decisive during this title fight between Norris & Oscar Piastri being decided on the track and without reference to team orders with the championship finale begins this weekend at COTA starting Friday.

Marina Bay race aftermath leads to internal strain

With the Marina Bay event’s doubtless extensive and tense debriefs dealt with, the Woking-based squad will be hoping for a reset. Norris was almost certainly fully conscious about the historical parallels regarding his retort toward his upset colleague during the previous race weekend. During an intense championship duel with the Australian, his reference to one of Ayrton Senna’s well-known quotes did not go unnoticed yet the occurrence that provoked his comment was of an entirely different nature from incidents characterizing Senna's great rivalries.

“If you fault me for simply attempting on the inside of a big gap then you should not be in F1,” stated Norris regarding his first-lap move to overtake which resulted in their vehicles making contact.

His comment appeared to paraphrase Senna’s “If you no longer go for a gap which is there you are no longer a true racer” justification he gave to the racing knight following his collision with the French champion in Japan in 1990, ensuring he took the championship.

Similar spirit yet distinct situations

While the spirit is similar, the wording is where the similarities end. The late champion confessed he had no intent to allow Prost to defeat him through the first corner whereas Norris attempted to make his pass cleanly in Singapore. Indeed, it was a perfectly valid effort that went unpenalised despite the minor contact he had with his team colleague as he went through. This incident stemmed from him clipping the car of Max Verstappen ahead of him.

Piastri reacted furiously and, significantly, instantly stated that Norris gaining the place seemed unjust; the implication being the two teammates clashing was forbidden by team protocols of engagement and Norris ought to be told to return the position he gained. McLaren did not do so, but it was indicative that during disputes of contention, each would quickly ask to the team to intervene on his behalf.

Squad management and fairness being examined

This comes naturally of McLaren’s laudable efforts to allow their racers compete one another and to try to maintain strict fairness. Aside from creating complex dilemmas in setting precedents over what constitutes just or unjust – under these conditions, now covers misfortune, tactical calls and racing incidents like in Marina Bay – there remains the issue regarding opinions.

Of most import for the championship, six races left, Piastri is ahead of Norris by 22 points, there is what each driver perceives as fair and when their perspectives might split from the team's stance. That is when their friendly rapport among them could eventually – turn somewhat into the iconic rivalry.

“It’s going to come a point where minor points count,” said Mercedes boss Wolff post-race. “Then calculations will begin and re-calculations and I suppose aggression will increase further. That's when it begins to become thrilling.”

Viewer desires and title consequences

For spectators, during this dual battle, increased excitement will probably be welcomed in the form of an on-track confrontation instead of a data-driven decision regarding incidents. Not least because in Formula One the other impression from all this isn't very inspiring.

To be fair, McLaren is taking appropriate choices for themselves and it has paid off. They clinched their 10th constructors’ title at Marina Bay (though a great achievement overshadowed by the fuss prompted by the Norris-Piastri moment) and with Stella as team principal they possess a moral and principled leader who truly aims to act correctly.

Racing purity against squad control

However, with racers in a championship fight looking to the pitwall for resolutions is unedifying. Their competition should be decided through racing. Chance and fate will play their part, yet preferable to allow them simply go at it and see how fortune falls, than the impression that every disputed moment will be pored over by the team to ascertain whether intervention is needed and subsequently resolved later in private.

The scrutiny will intensify with every occurrence it is in danger of potentially making a difference which might prove decisive. Previously, following the team's decision their drivers swap places in Italy because Norris had endured a slow pit stop and Piastri feeling he was treated unfairly regarding tactics at Hungary, where Norris won, the shadow of concern about bias also looms.

Team perspective and upcoming tests

No one wants to witness a championship endlessly debated because it may be considered that the efforts to be fair had not been balanced. Questioned whether he believed the squad had managed to do right by both drivers, Piastri said that they did, but mentioned it's a developing process.

“We've had several challenging moments and we discussed various aspects,” he said post-race. “However finally it's educational for the entire squad.”

Six meetings remain. The team has minimal room for error to do their cramming, thus perhaps wiser to just close the books and withdraw from the fray.