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McLaren and Formula One could do with any conclusive outcome during this title fight involving Norris and Piastri being decided through on-track action rather than without resorting to team orders with the title run-in kicks off at the COTA starting Friday.

Singapore Grand Prix aftermath leads to team tensions

With the Singapore Grand Prix’s undoubtedly thorough and tense post-race analyses concluded, McLaren is aiming for a reset. The British driver was almost certainly more than aware about the historical parallels regarding his retort toward his upset colleague at the last grand prix weekend. During an intense championship duel with the Australian, his reference to a famous Senna well-known quotes did not go unnoticed but the incident that provoked his comment was of an entirely different nature to those that defined the Brazilian’s great rivalries.

“Should you criticize me for simply attempting an inside move through an opening then you don't belong in Formula One,” Norris said of his opening-lap attempt to overtake that led to their vehicles making contact.

The remark seemed to echo Senna’s “If you no longer go an available gap which is there you are no longer a racing driver” justification he provided to the racing knight following his collision with the French champion at Suzuka in 1990, ensuring he took the title.

Similar spirit yet distinct situations

While the spirit is similar, the phrasing marks where parallels stop. The late champion confessed he never intended to allow Prost to defeat him at turn one while Norris did try to make his pass cleanly at the Marina Bay circuit. Indeed, it was a perfectly valid effort which received no penalty despite the minor contact he had with his team colleague as he went through. That itself stemmed from him touching the car of Max Verstappen ahead of him.

Piastri reacted furiously and, notably, immediately declared that Norris gaining the place seemed unjust; the implication being the two teammates clashing was verboten under McLaren’s rules for racing and Norris should be instructed to give back the place he had made. McLaren did not do so, yet it demonstrated that in any cases of contention, both will promptly appeal to the team to step in 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 to try to be as scrupulously fair. Aside from creating complex dilemmas in setting precedents over what constitutes fair or unfair – which, under these auspices, now covers bad luck, tactical calls and racing incidents such as in Singapore – there remains the issue of perception.

Of most import for the championship, six races left, Piastri leads Norris by 22 points, there is what each driver perceives on fairness and when their perspectives might split from the team's stance. Which is when their friendly rapport between the two could eventually – turn somewhat into the iconic rivalry.

“It will reach to a situation where minor points count,” commented Mercedes boss Toto Wolff post-race. “Then calculations will begin and back-calculate and I guess the elbows are going to come out a bit more. That's when it begins to get interesting.”

Audience expectations and title consequences

For the audience, during this dual battle, getting interesting will probably be welcomed in the form of a track duel instead of a spreadsheet-based arbitration of circumstances. Especially since in Formula One the alternative perception from these events isn't very inspiring.

Honestly speaking, McLaren is taking the correct decisions for themselves with successful results. They clinched their tenth team championship in Singapore (though a great achievement overshadowed by the controversy from their drivers' clash) and with Stella as team principal they have an ethical and upright commander who truly aims to do the right thing.

Sporting integrity against squad control

Yet having drivers competing for the title looking to the pitwall for resolutions appears unsightly. Their competition should be decided on track. Chance and fate will have roles, yet preferable to allow them just battle freely and see how fortune falls, than the impression that every disputed moment will be pored over by the squad to determine if they need to intervene and then cleared up later in private.

The examination will increase with every occurrence it is in danger of possibly affecting outcomes which might prove decisive. Previously, following the team's decision for position swaps at Monza because Norris had endured a slow pit stop and Piastri believing he had been hard done by with the strategy call in Budapest, where Norris won, the spectre of a fear about bias also emerges.

Team perspective and upcoming tests

Nobody desires to witness a championship constantly disputed because it may be considered that the efforts to be fair had not been balanced. When asked if he felt the team had acted correctly by both drivers, Piastri responded he believed they had, but noted it's a developing process.

“There’s been some challenging moments and we discussed a number of things,” he stated post-race. “However finally it’s a learning process for the entire squad.”

Six meetings remain. McLaren have little wriggle room left to do their cramming, so it may be better to just close the books and withdraw from the conflict.