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

The British racing team along with Formula One would benefit from any conclusive outcome in the championship battle between Norris & Piastri being decided on the track rather than without resorting to the pit wall as the title run-in begins this weekend at COTA starting Friday.

Singapore Grand Prix aftermath leads to internal strain

With the Singapore Grand Prix’s doubtless extensive and tense debriefs concluded, McLaren will be hoping for a reset. Norris was likely fully conscious about the historical parallels regarding his retort toward his upset colleague at the last race weekend. During an intense championship duel with the Australian, that Norris invoked one of Ayrton Senna’s most famous sentiments was lost on no one yet the occurrence that provoked his comment was of an entirely different nature from incidents characterizing Senna's iconic battles.

“Should you criticize me for simply attempting on the inside of a big gap then you don't belong in F1,” stated Norris of his opening-lap attempt to pass which resulted in the cars colliding.

The remark seemed to echo the Brazilian legend's “Should you stop attempting an available gap that exists then you cease to be a true racer” defence he gave to the racing knight following his collision with the French champion at Suzuka in 1990, securing him the championship.

Parallel mindset but different circumstances

Although the attitude is similar, the phrasing is where the similarities end. Senna later admitted he had no intent of letting Prost to defeat him at turn one whereas Norris attempted to make his pass cleanly in Singapore. Indeed, it was a perfectly valid effort which received no penalty despite the minor contact he made against his team colleague during the pass. That itself was a result of him clipping the Red Bull of Max Verstappen ahead of him.

Piastri reacted furiously and, significantly, instantly stated that Norris's position gain seemed unjust; the implication being the two teammates clashing was forbidden under McLaren’s rules for racing and Norris should be instructed to return the position he gained. The team refused, yet it demonstrated that in any cases between them, both will promptly appeal the squad to step in on his behalf.

Team dynamics and fairness under scrutiny

This comes naturally of McLaren’s laudable efforts to let their drivers race against each other and to try to maintain strict fairness. Quite apart from tying some torturous knots when establishing rules about what defines fair or unfair – which, under these auspices, now includes misfortune, tactical calls and racing incidents such as in Singapore – there is the question regarding opinions.

Most crucially to the title race, six races left, Piastri leads Norris by twenty-two points, there is what each driver perceives as fair and when their opinion may diverge from the team's stance. Which is when the amicable relationship between the two may – finally – become a little bit more the iconic rivalry.

“It will reach to a situation where a few points will matter,” commented Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff after Singapore. “Then calculations will begin and re-calculations and I suppose aggression will increase a bit more. That’s when it starts to become thrilling.”

Audience expectations and title consequences

For spectators, in what is a two-horse race, getting interesting will probably be welcomed as a track duel rather than a spreadsheet-based arbitration of circumstances. Especially since in Formula One the other impression from these events is not particularly rousing.

To be fair, McLaren is taking appropriate choices for themselves and it has paid off. They secured their 10th constructors’ title in Singapore (though a great achievement overshadowed by the fuss prompted by their drivers' clash) and in Andrea Stella as team principal they possess a moral and upright commander who truly aims to do the right thing.

Sporting integrity versus team management

Yet having drivers in a championship fight looking to the pitwall to decide matters is unedifying. Their competition should be decided on track. Chance and fate will play their part, but better to let them simply go at it and see how fortune falls, than the impression that every disputed moment will be pored over by the squad to determine if intervention is needed and subsequently resolved later in private.

The scrutiny will increase and each time it happens it risks potentially making a difference which might prove decisive. Previously, after the team made for position swaps at Monza due to Norris experiencing a slow pit stop and Piastri feeling he was treated unfairly regarding tactics in Budapest, where Norris won, the spectre of a fear about bias also looms.

Squad viewpoint and upcoming tests

No one wants to witness a championship endlessly debated over perceived that the efforts to be fair had not been balanced. When asked if he believed the squad had acted correctly toward both racers, Piastri responded that they did, but noted that it was an ever-evolving approach.

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

Six meetings remain. The team has minimal wriggle room left for last-minute adjustments, thus perhaps wiser now to simply stop analyzing and step back from the fray.