Lando Norris as Senna and Piastri as Alain Prost? Not exactly, however McLaren must hope title gets decided through racing

The British racing team and F1 could do with any conclusive outcome in the title fight involving Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri being decided through on-track action rather than without resorting to the pit wall with the championship finale begins this weekend at Circuit of the Americas on Friday.

Marina Bay race fallout prompts internal strain

After the Marina Bay event’s undoubtedly thorough and tense post-race analyses concluded, McLaren is aiming for a fresh start. Norris was likely fully conscious about the historical parallels regarding his retort to his aggrieved teammate during the previous race weekend. During an intense title fight against Piastri, that Norris invoked a famous Senna most famous sentiments was lost on no one yet the occurrence which triggered his statement differed completely from incidents characterizing the Brazilian’s iconic battles.

“Should you criticize me for simply attempting an inside move through an opening then you don't belong in F1,” stated Norris regarding his first-lap move to overtake that led to their vehicles making contact.

The remark seemed to echo the Brazilian legend's “If you no longer go for a gap that exists you are no longer a racing driver” justification he provided to Sir Jackie Stewart following his collision with the French champion in Japan in 1990, securing him the championship.

Parallel mindset yet distinct situations

Although the attitude is similar, the phrasing is where the similarities end. The late champion confessed he had no intent to allow Prost beat him through the first corner whereas Norris did try to execute a clean overtake in Singapore. In fact, his maneuver was legitimate which received no penalty even with the glancing blow he made against his team colleague as he went through. That itself was a result of him clipping the Red Bull driven by Verstappen ahead of him.

Piastri reacted furiously and, significantly, instantly stated that Norris gaining the place was “unfair”; the implication being the two teammates clashing was forbidden by team protocols for racing and Norris ought to be told to give back the position he gained. The team refused, yet it demonstrated that in any cases between them, both will promptly appeal the squad to intervene in their favor.

Team dynamics and impartiality under scrutiny

This comes naturally of McLaren’s laudable efforts to let their drivers race against each other and to try to maintain strict fairness. Aside from tying some torturous knots when establishing rules over what constitutes just or unjust – under these conditions, now includes bad luck, tactical calls and racing incidents like in Marina Bay – there is the question of perception.

Of most import for the championship, six races left, Piastri is ahead of Norris by 22 points, there is what each driver perceives on fairness and when their perspectives might split with that of the McLaren pitwall. That is when the amicable relationship among them may – finally – turn somewhat into the iconic rivalry.

“It will reach a point where a few points will matter,” commented Mercedes team principal Toto 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.”

Audience expectations and title consequences

For spectators, in what is a two-horse race, increased excitement will probably be welcomed as an on-track confrontation instead of a data-driven decision of circumstances. Especially since for F1 the other impression from all this isn't very inspiring.

To be fair, McLaren is taking the correct decisions for themselves and it has paid off. They secured their tenth team championship in Singapore (albeit a brilliant success overshadowed by the fuss prompted by their drivers' clash) and in Andrea Stella as team principal they possess a moral and principled leader who truly aims to do the right thing.

Sporting integrity against squad control

However, with racers in a championship fight appealing to the team for resolutions appears unsightly. Their contest ought to be determined on track. Luck and destiny will have roles, but better to let them just battle freely and see how fortune falls, rather than the sense that each contentious incident will be pored over by the squad to determine if intervention is needed and then cleared up afterwards behind closed doors.

The examination will intensify with every occurrence it is in danger of possibly affecting outcomes which might prove decisive. Previously, following the team's decision for position swaps in Italy due to Norris experiencing a slow pit stop and Piastri feeling he was treated unfairly regarding tactics at Hungary, where Norris won, the shadow of concern of favouritism also looms.

Team perspective and future challenges

Nobody desires to see a title endlessly debated over perceived that the efforts to be fair were unequal. When asked if he felt the team had acted correctly by both drivers, Piastri responded that they did, but noted that it was an ever-evolving approach.

“There’s been some challenging moments and we’ve spoken about a number of things,” he stated post-race. “However finally it’s a learning process with the whole team.”

Six races stay. McLaren have little wriggle room left to do their cramming, thus perhaps wiser to just stop analyzing and withdraw from the fray.