McLaren chief Zak Brown has confirmed that his team is willing to implement team orders in this weekend's Abu Dhabi Grand Prix to ensure a victory for either Lando Norris or Oscar Piastri over Max Verstappen and claim the Formula 1 Drivers' Championship.
The situation could become increasingly complicated if Verstappen leads the race, which would make it all but impossible for Piastri to win. However, if Piastri is leading, he can let Norris pass to guarantee a championship victory, given that Norris will secure his maiden drivers' title with a podium finish.
Brown acknowledged that the team's intention was not to protect Norris or Piastri from potential backlash but rather to prioritize winning the championships as a team. He cited instances last season when both McLaren drivers allowed each other through during Sprints races in Brazil and Qatar, demonstrating that this strategy is not unusual in any sport.
In light of these circumstances, Brown made it clear that his team would be willing to make sacrifices for each other if necessary to secure their goal: winning the Drivers' Championship.
The situation could become increasingly complicated if Verstappen leads the race, which would make it all but impossible for Piastri to win. However, if Piastri is leading, he can let Norris pass to guarantee a championship victory, given that Norris will secure his maiden drivers' title with a podium finish.
Brown acknowledged that the team's intention was not to protect Norris or Piastri from potential backlash but rather to prioritize winning the championships as a team. He cited instances last season when both McLaren drivers allowed each other through during Sprints races in Brazil and Qatar, demonstrating that this strategy is not unusual in any sport.
In light of these circumstances, Brown made it clear that his team would be willing to make sacrifices for each other if necessary to secure their goal: winning the Drivers' Championship.
2 teams can't both win without someone getting screwed over. feels like they're more worried about the title than fair play... 
piastri's been struggling to get past verstappen all season, wouldn't be right for mclaren to just bail him out.
You know, back when it was all about the team first and not just individual egos getting in the way. Now, I'm not saying that's a bad thing, but it does make you wonder if they're being too clever for their own good? 
and honestly, if they're willing to manipulate the situation like this, what's next? will they be making team decisions on who gets to use the bathroom at the paddock? 
. Allowing Norris and Piastri to sacrifice each other on the track just because it benefits them more as a team? It's not about being a good teammate anymore, it's about being ruthless 
. I hope Red Bull can keep up with McLaren's dirty tricks... 
its not about the drivers, its about the championship title and whoever gets that gets all the glory 
but seriously why did mclaren wait till now to make a move? shouldn't they've thought of this before? now it just looks like they're trying to manipulate the outcome 
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can't see McLaren handling that drama well 
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. and if mclaren does decide to play favorites, there's bound to be some drama afterwards 
. one thing's for sure tho - this weekend's abu dhabi grand prix is gonna be a wild ride 
. While I get that winning is important and they want to prioritize the championship, it feels like they're putting a price on fair competition? Like, what if Piastri or Norris isn't having a great day and Verstappen takes advantage of that? Does that mean McLaren would still screw over Verstappen for the sake of one of their own drivers? 
McLaren is basically saying they'll collude with each other to win, which is wild. I get why they'd do it - Lando and Oscar are both in the hunt for that championship and if one of them wins, the other gets a sweet bonus. But at the same time, it's like, aren't they gonna mess up the whole racing thing? 
. It's all about who can get the win and lift that championship trophy 
. I think Lando Norris would take it hard if Oscar Piastri is leading and lets him pass though 
. That podium finish for Norris would be sweet, but at the end of the day, McLaren's goal is to win that championship and not get in each other's way 
They're literally gonna do whatever it takes to get that championship win lol, like what team is gonna take a shot at Verstappen and mess with Piastri's chances? Norris needs this so badly tho 
. u know max verstappen is just gonna be over here driving his heart out and hoping for the best 
I wonder what would happen if Verstappen's lead got really big tho... does that mean they wouldn't even try anymore?