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McLaren and Formula One would benefit from anything decisive in the title fight involving Norris & Piastri being decided on the track rather than without reference to team orders as the championship finale begins at the COTA on Friday.

Singapore Grand Prix fallout leads to internal strain

With the Marina Bay event’s doubtless extensive and tense debriefs concluded, the Woking-based squad is aiming for a fresh start. Norris was likely fully conscious of the historical context regarding his retort to his aggrieved teammate at the last race weekend. During an intense championship duel with the Australian, his reference to one of Ayrton Senna’s well-known quotes was lost on no one yet the occurrence which triggered his statement differed completely to those that defined the Brazilian’s iconic battles.

“If you fault me for just going on the inside of a big gap then you should not be in Formula One,” stated Norris of his opening-lap attempt to overtake which resulted in the cars colliding.

The remark seemed to echo Senna’s “If you no longer go an available gap that exists then you cease to be a true racer” defence he provided to the racing knight following his collision with the French champion at Suzuka in 1990, securing him the title.

Similar spirit yet distinct situations

While the spirit is similar, the phrasing is where the similarities end. The late champion confessed he had no intent of letting Prost to defeat him through the first corner while Norris attempted to make his pass cleanly at the Marina Bay circuit. Indeed, his maneuver was legitimate that went unpenalised despite the minor contact he made against his team colleague as he went through. That itself stemmed from him clipping the Red Bull driven by Verstappen ahead of him.

The Australian responded angrily and, notably, instantly stated that Norris's position gain seemed unjust; the implication being the two teammates clashing was verboten by team protocols of engagement and Norris ought to be told to give back the position he gained. McLaren did not do so, but it was indicative that in any cases between them, both will promptly appeal the squad to step in on his behalf.

Team dynamics and fairness under scrutiny

This comes naturally of McLaren’s laudable efforts to allow their racers compete one another and strive to maintain strict fairness. Quite apart from creating complex dilemmas when establishing rules over what constitutes fair or unfair – which, under these auspices, now includes bad luck, strategy and racing incidents such as in Singapore – there remains the issue regarding opinions.

Of most import to the title race, with six meetings remaining, Piastri is ahead of Norris by 22 points, each racer's view exists as fair and at what point their opinion may diverge from the team's stance. Which is when their friendly rapport between the two may – finally – turn somewhat into the iconic rivalry.

“It will reach a point where minor points count,” commented Mercedes boss Toto Wolff after Singapore. “Then they’ll start to calculate and back-calculate and I guess aggression will increase a bit more. That’s when it starts to get interesting.”

Viewer desires and championship implications

For spectators, during this dual battle, increased excitement will likely be appreciated in the form of an on-track confrontation instead of a spreadsheet-based arbitration of circumstances. Especially since in Formula One the alternative perception from all this is not particularly rousing.

Honestly speaking, McLaren are making appropriate choices for their interests and it has paid off. They secured their tenth team championship at Marina Bay (albeit a brilliant success diminished by the controversy from their drivers' clash) and in Andrea Stella as team principal they have an ethical and upright commander who genuinely wants to act correctly.

Sporting integrity against team management

However, with racers competing for the title looking to the pitwall to decide matters appears unsightly. Their contest ought to be determined on track. Luck and destiny will have roles, yet preferable to allow them simply go at it and see how fortune falls, rather than the sense that every disputed moment will be pored over by the team to ascertain whether they need to intervene and subsequently resolved afterwards behind closed doors.

The examination will increase with every occurrence it is in danger of possibly affecting outcomes that could be critical. Previously, after the team made for position swaps at Monza because Norris had endured a slow pit stop and Piastri believing he had been hard done by with the strategy call in Budapest, where Norris won, the spectre of a fear of favouritism also emerges.

Team perspective and future challenges

Nobody desires to witness a championship constantly disputed because it may be considered that the efforts to be fair had not been balanced. 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.

“We've had several challenging moments and we’ve spoken about various aspects,” he said after Singapore. “However finally it’s a learning process for the entire squad.”

Six races stay. McLaren have little wriggle room left to do their cramming, so it may be better now to simply close the books and withdraw from the conflict.