Former Haas Formula 1 team principal Guenther Steiner has expressed the view that McLaren is likely to assign Lando Norris the role of supporting Oscar Piastri as the Australian leads the drivers’ championship. With Piastri holding a 25-point advantage over Norris, Steiner emphasized the need for the team to unite behind one driver to maximize their chance of securing the title.
Current Standings and Verstappen’s Threat to McLaren
Oscar Piastri currently leads the drivers’ standings, while Lando Norris occupies second place. However, Max Verstappen, having won the recent Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku, is closing the gap to the McLaren duo. Verstappen’s consecutive victories signify his resurgence after earlier setbacks this season, placing him third in the rankings, 44 points behind Norris.
Following the race, McLaren’s sporting director Andrea Stella reaffirmed that Verstappen remains a formidable contender for the world championship despite his points deficit.
The Need for a Clear Team Strategy to Secure the Drivers’ Championship
Steiner argued that McLaren’s current approach, which has avoided designating a clear number one and allowed both drivers to race freely, is unlikely to deliver a drivers’ title. On The Red Flags Podcast, he stated,
“And both cannot win, so instead of having two fighting and lose it all, you get somebody to win. As much as Lando is the face, and, as you put it, the favoured son, I think McLaren needs to be above that, and will be above that.”
Guenther Steiner
He reinforced the necessity of such a decision by declaring,
“It is crazy, but you have to do it. In my opinion, you have to do it to win.”
Steiner also warned of the damage that could result from persisting with the current strategy, adding,
Image of: Oscar Piastri
“I think they will take the decision… because otherwise, if they lose it because of that decision, how dumb do they look?”
Guenther Steiner
McLaren’s ‘Papaya Rules’ and the Debate Over Team Orders
McLaren introduced ‘Papaya Rules’ to allow their drivers to race competitively, provided they maintain clean on-track behavior. Steiner criticized the continuation of this approach, reflecting on lessons from the previous season:
“I want to say, I think McLaren should have learned something out of last year, how they did it. It didn’t work, and if they do the same this year…”
Guenther Steiner
He explained that letting both drivers race freely may be entertaining and beneficial for fans, but warned it risks jeopardizing the drivers’ championship. Steiner urged the team to enforce restrictions that might disappoint one driver but ultimately safeguard their title chances:
“But now, it’s getting to a point where there could be some damage to the team in losing the drivers’ championship. So if you run the team, you have to prevent this by putting a rule down to make somebody unhappy. And so it should be.”
Guenther Steiner
McLaren Leadership’s Take on Allowing Norris and Piastri to Compete
Despite such calls for prioritizing a clear number one, McLaren CEO Zak Brown has stood by the decision to allow Norris and Piastri to race freely. Speaking at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, Brown remarked,
“We’re letting them go. It’s up to them to decide who wins the world championship,”
Zak Brown
He added that he hopes the championship winner will come from within the McLaren pair, but stressed the importance of extending their lead over rivals before becoming complacent. Brown praised the clean yet intense racing demonstrated in recent events, saying,
“But you’re never quite comfortable in this sport and just let them keep racing. I thought Austria was a great demonstration of how hard they can race each other and cleanly.”
Zak Brown
Implications for McLaren’s Championship Prospects
As the Formula 1 season intensifies, McLaren faces a pivotal decision in managing its drivers. With Oscar Piastri leading the standings and Lando Norris a close second, the team must weigh the benefits of continuing a free racing policy against the risks of internal competition jeopardizing their championship chances. The pressure to designate Norris as a support driver is mounting, amid warnings that maintaining the status quo could cost McLaren the drivers’ title.
Ultimately, McLaren’s strategy will reveal whether they prioritize a united front to secure the drivers’ championship or allow the rivalry between Piastri and Norris to unfold without restrictions. Given the narrowing points lead and Verstappen’s resurgence, the team’s approach in the coming races could prove decisive for their season outcome.
