Norris compared to Senna and Piastri likened to Alain Prost? Not exactly, however the team needs to pray title is settled through racing

McLaren and Formula One could do with any conclusive outcome in the title fight between Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri getting resolved through on-track action rather than without reference to team orders as the title run-in kicks off at the COTA starting Friday.

Singapore Grand Prix fallout leads to internal strain

After the Marina Bay event’s undoubtedly thorough and tense post-race analyses concluded, the Woking-based squad will be hoping for a fresh start. The British driver was almost certainly fully conscious about the historical parallels regarding his retort to his aggrieved teammate during the previous race weekend. In a fiercely contested title fight with the Australian, his reference to a famous Senna well-known quotes was lost on no one but the incident that provoked his comment differed completely to those that defined Senna's iconic battles.

“Should you criticize me for simply attempting on the inside through an opening then you don't belong in F1,” Norris said of his opening-lap attempt to overtake that led to the cars colliding.

The remark appeared to paraphrase the Brazilian legend's “If you no longer go for a gap that exists you are no longer a true racer” defence he provided to Sir Jackie Stewart after he ploughed into the French champion in Japan in 1990, ensuring he took the championship.

Parallel mindset yet distinct situations

Although the attitude remains comparable, the phrasing is where the similarities end. The late champion confessed he had no intent to allow Prost beat him through the first corner while Norris attempted to execute a clean overtake at the Marina Bay circuit. Indeed, his maneuver was legitimate that went unpenalised despite the minor contact he made against his McLaren teammate during the pass. This incident stemmed from him touching the Red Bull of Max Verstappen in front of him.

Piastri reacted furiously and, notably, instantly stated that Norris's position gain was “unfair”; the implication being the two teammates clashing was verboten by team protocols of engagement and Norris should be instructed to return the position he gained. The team refused, but it was indicative that during disputes between them, each would quickly ask the squad to intervene in their favor.

Team dynamics and impartiality being examined

This comes naturally of McLaren’s laudable efforts to allow their racers compete against each other and strive to be as scrupulously fair. Quite apart from creating complex dilemmas when establishing rules about what defines fair or unfair – which, under these auspices, now includes misfortune, strategy and racing incidents like in Marina Bay – there remains the issue of perception.

Of most import to the title race, six races left, Piastri leads Norris by 22 points, there is what each driver perceives as fair and at what point their opinion may diverge from the team's stance. Which is when the amicable relationship between the two could eventually – turn somewhat into the iconic rivalry.

“It’s going to come a point where minor points count,” commented Mercedes boss Wolff post-race. “Then they’ll start to calculate and re-calculations and I suppose aggression will increase a bit more. That’s when it starts to become thrilling.”

Viewer desires and title consequences

For the audience, in what is a two-horse race, increased excitement will probably be welcomed in the form of an on-track confrontation instead of a data-driven decision regarding incidents. Especially since in Formula One the alternative perception from all this isn't very inspiring.

Honestly speaking, McLaren is taking the correct decisions for their interests with successful results. They clinched their 10th constructors’ title at Marina Bay (though a great achievement diminished by the controversy from their drivers' clash) and in Andrea Stella as team principal they possess a moral and upright commander who genuinely wants to act correctly.

Racing purity against team management

Yet having drivers competing for the title appealing to the team for resolutions appears unsightly. Their contest should be decided through racing. Luck and destiny will have roles, but better to let them just battle freely and observe outcomes naturally, than the impression that every disputed moment will be pored over by the team to ascertain whether intervention is needed and subsequently resolved afterwards behind closed doors.

The examination will intensify with every occurrence it is in danger of potentially making a difference which might prove decisive. Already, following the team's decision for position swaps at Monza because Norris had endured a slow pit stop and Piastri feeling he was treated unfairly regarding tactics at Hungary, where Norris triumphed, the shadow of concern of favouritism also emerges.

Team perspective and upcoming tests

No one wants to see a title constantly disputed over perceived that the efforts to be fair had not been balanced. When asked if he felt the team had managed to do right by both drivers, Piastri said he believed they had, but noted that it was an ever-evolving approach.

“We've had several challenging moments and we’ve spoken about various aspects,” he said post-race. “But ultimately it’s a learning process for the entire squad.”

Six races stay. The team has minimal wriggle room left to do their cramming, so it may be better to just close the books and step back from the fray.