McLaren does not intend to change its approach despite the accident in Canada
The two McLarens collided last weekend in Montreal. While team principal Andrea Stella described the incident as « unacceptable », he said it would not necessitate the imposition of team orders on the drivers.
A turning point in the season? McLaren, which has been demonstrating since the beginning of the year that it is the most competitive team on the grid, seemed to have found the perfect balance between on-track competitiveness and off-track harmony. But this balance was somewhat shaken on Sunday in Canada. While battling for a potential podium against Kimi Antonelli, Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri engaged in an intense fight in the final sector of the Montreal circuit. An intense struggle that unfortunately ended in the pit wall for Norris.
If some imagined that the British team was going to impose directives, that is not the case. Andrea Stella, the team director, considered that the incident did not require any hierarchy between the drivers.
A simple mistake, more than a real incident
The Italian highlighted the still cordial relationship between Piastri and Norris, mentioning a simple error of judgment on the part of the Briton, who immediately acknowledged his responsibility. For the former Ferrari engineer, the line is clear: the incident must not happen again, but both drivers can continue to fight on the track.
« Being free to fight and being clear about how one fights is part of the fundamental values of motorsport », Stella explained to the media, including RacingNews365.
« It’s a value we want to preserve and respect as much as possible. Instead of controlling every duel from the pit wall. Trying too hard to direct would make the races artificial. »
An incident that should not be repeated
Despite this desire for freedom, Stella has called on her drivers to be more cautious. McLaren wants to avoid any new incidents in the race for the title, especially since their main rivals, Max Verstappen and George Russell, finished 1st and 2nd in Canada and have not yet had their final say in the championship battle. The team also does not wish to favor one of its drivers. It has always maintained that they have no number 1 or number 2 driver and intends to uphold this policy until the end.
« We want to give Lando and Oscar the opportunity to fight and end up, at the end of the season, in the position they deserve — based on their merit, their performances, and the quality of their driving throughout the year », said Andrea Stella.
« Rather than having their points influenced by the team’s choices. It is not a simple exercise, but we want to conduct it as best as possible. »
A similar approach but a driver title threatened?
« I don’t think the Canadian episode will change our approach. On the contrary, it reinforces our principles and encourages our drivers to be even more cautious. If we say there should be no contact between the two McLarens, then we must ensure that the margins are sufficient to avoid any collision. Even in DRS situations, the car can be almost ‘sucked in’ by the one in front, which can lead to a poor assessment of distances.
If the constructors’ title already seems secured for Zak Brown’s team, the drivers’ title remains open. And a new incident between Norris and Piastri could completely reignite the championship race. McLaren does not have a number 1 driver, but the upcoming races might force them to make a choice. In Austria, only one directive will prevail in the orange garage: don’t touch each other.
