McLaren Won’t Impose Team Orders As Piastri And Norris Battle For F1 Title

Just five races into the Formula 1 season, a compelling championship battle is unfolding within the McLaren Racing team, with significant implications for the organization’s internal dynamics.

Oscar Piastri has made it clear that he won’t settle for playing second fiddle to teammate Lando Norris, who was once considered McLaren’s designated future champion. The Australian driver has assertively staked his claim by winning three of the first five races this season, taking the lead in the driver standings.

Norris, with one victory to his name, currently trails Piastri by 10 points. As F1 heads to the United States for the Miami Grand Prix on Sunday, McLaren boss Zak Brown has firmly stated that there will be no internal issues arising from this championship fight. For now, he plans to let the battle play out naturally.

“Let ’em race,” Brown declared to The Associated Press. He has no intention of designating a No. 1 driver or issuing team orders until a time comes when one of the drivers has clearly separated himself in the title race.

“We’ll only make that decision if it becomes clear, like it did last year at a certain point,” Brown explained. “Until then they will get the same treatment. There may be instances when one has an upgrade that the other doesn’t have yet, but that’s the extent of it right now. We want to let them race.”