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McLaren along with F1 could do with anything decisive in the title fight involving Norris and Piastri being decided through on-track action and without resorting to team orders with the title run-in kicks off this weekend at COTA on Friday.

Singapore Grand Prix aftermath prompts internal strain

With the Singapore Grand Prix’s doubtless extensive and tense post-race analyses concluded, McLaren is aiming for a fresh start. Norris was almost certainly more than aware of the historical context of his riposte toward his upset colleague at the last race weekend. During an intense championship duel against Piastri, that Norris invoked a famous Senna most famous sentiments did not go unnoticed but the incident which triggered his statement differed completely from incidents characterizing Senna's great rivalries.

“If you fault me for just going an inside move of a big gap then you don't belong in F1,” Norris said regarding his first-lap move to overtake which resulted in the cars colliding.

The remark appeared to paraphrase Senna’s “Should you stop attempting an available gap that exists then you cease to be a true racer” defence he gave to Sir Jackie Stewart after he ploughed into the French champion at Suzuka back in 1990, ensuring he took the championship.

Parallel mindset yet distinct situations

Although the attitude is similar, the wording is where the similarities end. Senna later admitted he had no intent of letting Prost beat him through the first corner whereas Norris did try to make his pass cleanly at the Marina Bay circuit. In fact, his maneuver was legitimate which received no penalty even with the glancing blow he made against his McLaren teammate during the pass. That itself stemmed from him touching the car driven by Verstappen in front of him.

Piastri reacted furiously and, notably, immediately declared that Norris's position gain seemed unjust; suggesting that the two teammates clashing was forbidden under McLaren’s rules for racing and Norris should be instructed to return the place he had made. The team refused, yet it demonstrated that in any cases of contention, both will promptly appeal the squad to step in in their favor.

Team dynamics and impartiality being examined

This is part and parcel from McLaren's commendable approach to allow their racers compete against each other and strive to be as scrupulously fair. Quite apart from tying some torturous knots in setting precedents about what defines just or unjust – under these conditions, now includes bad luck, tactical calls and racing incidents such as in Singapore – there remains the issue regarding opinions.

Of most import to the title race, six races left, Piastri is ahead of Norris by twenty-two points, there is what each driver perceives on fairness and at what point their opinion may diverge with that of the McLaren pitwall. Which is when their friendly rapport among them may – finally – turn somewhat into Senna-Prost.

“It’s going to come to a situation where minor points count,” commented Mercedes boss Toto Wolff post-race. “Then calculations will begin and back-calculate and I guess aggression will increase a bit more. That's when it begins to become thrilling.”

Viewer desires and championship implications

For the audience, during this dual battle, increased excitement will likely be appreciated as a track duel rather than a data-driven decision regarding incidents. Especially since for F1 the alternative perception from these events is not particularly rousing.

Honestly speaking, McLaren is taking the correct decisions for their interests and it has paid off. They clinched their 10th constructors’ title in Singapore (though a great achievement diminished by the fuss prompted by their drivers' clash) and with Stella as team principal they have an ethical and principled leader who truly aims to do the right thing.

Sporting integrity versus team management

Yet having drivers in a championship fight appealing to the team to decide matters is unedifying. Their competition ought to be determined through racing. Luck and destiny will have roles, yet preferable to allow them just battle freely and see how fortune falls, than the impression that each contentious incident will be pored over by the team to ascertain whether intervention is needed and subsequently resolved afterwards behind closed doors.

The examination will intensify and each time it happens it is in danger of possibly affecting outcomes which might prove decisive. Previously, following the team's decision for position swaps in Italy due to Norris experiencing a delayed stop and Piastri believing he had been hard done by regarding tactics in Budapest, where Norris won, the shadow of concern about bias also emerges.

Team perspective and future challenges

No one wants to see a title endlessly debated because it may be considered that fairness attempts had not been balanced. Questioned whether he believed the squad had acted correctly toward both racers, Piastri responded that they did, but noted that it was an ever-evolving approach.

“There’s been some difficult situations and we discussed various aspects,” he said after Singapore. “However finally it's educational with the whole team.”

Six meetings remain. The team has minimal room for error for last-minute adjustments, so it may be better now to simply close the books and step back from the conflict.