P1racenews AI automatic summary:
McLaren believes that it can avoid tensions emerging between the team’s drivers, despite likening Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri to “two lions in a cage” in F1.
McLaren’s growing competitiveness throughout the previous season made the competition between Norris and Piastri increasingly significant. Criticism arose when McLaren hesitated to implement team orders to assist Norris, resulting in Piastri overtaking him at Monza. Despite McLaren adjusting its stance in favor of supporting Norris, the change came too late in his title battle with Max Verstappen. As McLaren secured the Constructors’ Championship, potential similar situations between Norris and Piastri loom for the upcoming season. McLaren has a history of managing strained relationships between teammates, such as Alain Prost and Ayrton Senna, and Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton. CEO Zak Brown expressed confidence in McLaren’s ability to maintain harmony within the team by fostering transparency and trust among the drivers. Brown emphasized the importance of involving drivers in joint activities to strengthen relationships and handle challenging circumstances effectively. Piastri, who complied with team orders in Brazil despite not contending for the title, believes the discussion around McLaren’s team orders has been blown out of proportion. Looking ahead, Piastri hopes for a scenario where he and Norris can compete without the need for strict team orders, emphasizing the team’s commitment to doing what is best for each other.
