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The British racing team along with F1 could do with anything decisive during this title fight involving Norris & Piastri getting resolved through on-track action rather than without reference to team orders as the championship finale kicks off at the Circuit of the Americas on Friday.

Singapore Grand Prix aftermath leads to team tensions

After the Marina Bay event’s undoubtedly thorough and stressful debriefs concluded, McLaren is aiming for a reset. The British driver was likely more than aware of the historical context regarding his retort toward his upset colleague at the last grand prix weekend. In a fiercely contested title fight against Piastri, that Norris invoked a famous Senna well-known quotes was lost on no one yet the occurrence that provoked his comment was of an entirely different nature from incidents characterizing Senna's great rivalries.

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

His comment appeared to paraphrase Senna’s “If you no longer go an available gap that exists then you cease to be a racing driver” justification he provided to Sir Jackie Stewart after he ploughed into the French champion in Japan back in 1990, ensuring he took the title.

Similar spirit yet distinct situations

Although the attitude is similar, the wording marks where parallels stop. The late champion confessed he never intended of letting Prost beat him at turn one whereas Norris attempted to make his pass cleanly at the Marina Bay circuit. In fact, his maneuver was legitimate that went unpenalised even with the glancing blow he had with his McLaren teammate during the pass. This incident stemmed from him touching the car driven by Verstappen ahead of him.

Piastri reacted furiously and, notably, immediately declared that Norris's position gain seemed unjust; suggesting that the two teammates clashing was verboten by team protocols of engagement and Norris should be instructed to give back the place he had made. McLaren did not do so, but it was indicative that during disputes between them, both will promptly appeal to the team to intervene in their favor.

Squad management and fairness being examined

This is part and parcel from McLaren's commendable approach to let their drivers race one another and to try to maintain strict fairness. Quite apart from tying some torturous knots when establishing rules over what constitutes just or unjust – under these conditions, now includes bad luck, tactical calls and racing incidents like in Marina Bay – there is the question of perception.

Of most import to the title race, with six meetings remaining, Piastri leads Norris by 22 points, there is what each driver perceives as fair and when their perspectives might split with that of the McLaren pitwall. That is when the amicable relationship among them could eventually – turn somewhat into the iconic rivalry.

“It’s going to come to a situation where minor points count,” said Mercedes team principal Wolff after Singapore. “Then calculations will begin and back-calculate and I guess the elbows are going to come out further. That’s when it starts to become thrilling.”

Viewer desires and championship implications

For spectators, during this dual battle, increased excitement will likely be appreciated as a track duel rather than a data-driven decision of circumstances. Especially since for F1 the alternative perception from all this is not particularly rousing.

Honestly speaking, McLaren are making appropriate choices for their interests with successful results. They secured their 10th constructors’ title in Singapore (though a great achievement overshadowed by the fuss prompted by the Norris-Piastri moment) and with Stella as team principal they have an ethical and principled leader who genuinely wants to do the right thing.

Sporting integrity versus squad control

However, with racers competing for the title looking to the pitwall to decide matters appears unsightly. Their contest ought to be determined on track. Chance and fate will have roles, yet preferable to allow them simply go at it and see how fortune falls, than the impression that every disputed moment will be analyzed intensely by the squad to ascertain whether intervention is needed and subsequently resolved later in private.

The scrutiny will increase with every occurrence it is in danger of potentially making a difference which might prove decisive. Previously, after the team made their drivers swap places in Italy because Norris had endured a delayed stop and Piastri feeling he was treated unfairly regarding tactics at Hungary, where Norris triumphed, the shadow of concern of favouritism also looms.

Team perspective and upcoming tests

Nobody desires to see a title endlessly debated because it may be considered that fairness attempts had not been balanced. When asked if he believed the squad had acted correctly toward both racers, Piastri said he believed they had, but mentioned it's a developing process.

“There’s been some difficult situations and we discussed a number of things,” he stated after Singapore. “However finally it’s a learning process with the whole team.”

Six races stay. McLaren have little room for error to do their cramming, thus perhaps wiser now to simply close the books and step back from the conflict.