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McLaren along with F1 could do with any conclusive outcome during this title fight involving Lando Norris & Oscar Piastri getting resolved through on-track action and without resorting to team orders with the title run-in begins this weekend at COTA on Friday.

Singapore Grand Prix fallout prompts team tensions

With the Marina Bay event’s doubtless extensive and tense debriefs concluded, the Woking-based squad is aiming for a reset. Norris was likely fully conscious about the historical parallels regarding his retort toward his upset colleague during the previous grand prix weekend. During an intense championship duel with the Australian, that Norris invoked one of Ayrton Senna’s most famous sentiments was lost on no one yet the occurrence that provoked his comment differed completely to those that defined the Brazilian’s iconic battles.

“Should you criticize me for simply attempting an inside move of a big gap then you should not be in Formula One,” stated Norris of his opening-lap attempt to overtake that led to their vehicles making contact.

The remark appeared to paraphrase Senna’s “Should you stop attempting for a gap which is there then you cease to be a true racer” justification he gave to the racing knight after he ploughed into Alain Prost in Japan back in 1990, securing him the championship.

Similar spirit but different circumstances

While the spirit remains comparable, the wording is where the similarities end. Senna later admitted he never intended to allow Prost beat him through the first corner while Norris did try to execute a clean overtake in Singapore. In fact, his maneuver was legitimate that went unpenalised despite the minor contact he had with his McLaren teammate during the pass. That itself was a result of him clipping the car driven by Verstappen in front of him.

The Australian responded angrily and, notably, instantly stated that Norris gaining the place seemed unjust; the implication being their collision was verboten under McLaren’s rules for racing and Norris ought to be told to return the place he had made. The team refused, yet it demonstrated that in any cases of contention, each would quickly ask to the team to step in in their favor.

Team dynamics and fairness being examined

This comes naturally from McLaren's commendable approach to allow their racers compete one another and strive to be as scrupulously fair. Quite apart from tying some torturous knots in setting precedents over what constitutes just or unjust – under these conditions, now includes misfortune, strategy and on-track occurrences like in Marina Bay – there is the question regarding opinions.

Most crucially for the championship, six races left, Piastri leads Norris by 22 points, each racer's view exists as fair and at what point their perspectives might split with that of the McLaren pitwall. That is when the amicable relationship among them may – finally – turn somewhat into Senna-Prost.

“It’s going to come a point where minor points count,” said Mercedes team principal Wolff post-race. “Then they’ll start to calculate and back-calculate and I suppose the elbows are going to come out a bit more. That’s when it starts to become thrilling.”

Viewer desires and championship implications

For the audience, during this dual battle, increased excitement will probably be welcomed in the form of a track duel rather than 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 appropriate choices for themselves with successful results. They clinched their 10th constructors’ title in Singapore (though a great achievement diminished by the fuss prompted by their drivers' clash) and in Andrea Stella as squad leader they have an ethical and principled leader who truly aims to do the right thing.

Racing purity against squad control

Yet having drivers competing for the title appealing to the team for resolutions is unedifying. Their competition should be decided through racing. Luck and destiny will have roles, yet preferable to allow them simply go at it and observe outcomes naturally, than the impression that every disputed moment will be pored over by the squad to determine if they need to intervene and subsequently resolved later in private.

The examination will increase and each time it happens it risks possibly affecting outcomes that could be critical. Previously, after the team made their drivers swap places in Italy because Norris had endured a delayed stop and Piastri believing he was treated unfairly with the strategy call at Hungary, where Norris triumphed, the spectre of a fear of favouritism also emerges.

Team perspective and upcoming tests

No one wants to see a title endlessly debated over perceived that fairness attempts had not been balanced. Questioned whether he felt the team had managed to do right toward both racers, Piastri responded that they did, but noted it's a developing process.

“There’s been some difficult situations and we discussed various aspects,” he said post-race. “However finally it’s a learning process for the entire squad.”

Six meetings remain. The team has minimal wriggle room left for last-minute adjustments, so it may be better now to simply stop analyzing and withdraw from the conflict.