McLaren to Strategically Favour Norris Over Piastri in Championship Pursuit, Reveals Team Boss Stella

McLaren ready to prioritize Lando Norris over Oscar Piastri in evenly matched scenarios

"In scenarios where it's a toss-up or when, in particular, Lando might require additional backing from our side, we're prepared to provide that support."

McLaren F1 leader Andrea Stella has disclosed that they will give preference to Lando Norris over Oscar Piastri in situations where decisions could go either way.

Norris currently trails Max Verstappen by 70 points in the championship standings, with nine races left to go.

Verstappen still holds a strong position, but McLaren's impressive performance at the Dutch Grand Prix may raise some worries.

Norris secured a victory with a margin of more than 22 seconds at Zandvoort. Considering the upcoming races in Singapore and Baku, circuits where McLaren may face challenges, Verstappen's advantage might be considerably reduced as the F1 season moves to the American continents.

In recent conversations, the focus has shifted to McLaren possibly favoring Norris by positioning him as their 'lead driver'.

Although Stella is intent on preventing a distinct pecking order, he admitted that Norris might be given preference as he aims to catch up with Verstappen in the championship standings.

"Discussions about team instructions are a standard procedure from the very first race since it's crucial to approach a race with a clear understanding of how we'll handle the rivalry between our two drivers," he mentioned on Sunday at Zandvoort, where Crash.net had a presence in the paddock.

"Discussions regarding team directives are ongoing throughout the season. However, it's essential to consider these discussions in light of, say, the driver's standings. Overall, our strategy is to maintain fairness and uphold what we refer to as honesty in our racing approach."

"I always emphasize that I've never met a driver who aims to be at the top simply for the sake of a contract. The real motivation for drivers to be number one is their speed on the circuit. Naturally, once you prove your speed on the track, you expect the team's backing, especially in decisions that could go either way."

Stella is of the opinion that assigning a definitive 'lead' and 'secondary' driver is not beneficial for the team's dynamics, insisting that decisions regarding team orders should be made based on specific circumstances.

"Alternatively, imagine you're having a series of eight great weekends, but then you hit a rough patch during one weekend," he continued. "That's when the team can step in to help, correct? However, it's not as if we're facing nine upcoming races and deciding to appoint a lead driver."

"So, what's our next move? We prioritize the lead driver with all the advantages. This approach isn't the best for team dynamics. However, for each race, we scrutinize the circumstances. Whenever there's a toss-up, or in scenarios where Lando might require additional backing from the team, that's exactly what he will receive."

"However, Oscar is part of the team. Essentially, the team's actions should align with what Oscar finds sensible. We're all in this collectively. It's not about having a team and one driver, with the other simply trailing behind regardless of their views. He must be included in these discussions and must concur with our proposed direction."

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