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The British racing team and Formula One would benefit from anything decisive in the title fight involving Lando Norris & Piastri getting resolved on the track rather than without resorting to team orders with the title run-in kicks off this weekend at Circuit of the Americas starting Friday.

Marina Bay race aftermath prompts internal strain

With the Marina Bay event’s undoubtedly thorough and tense post-race analyses concluded, McLaren is aiming for a reset. The British driver was almost certainly fully conscious of the historical context of his riposte toward his upset colleague at the last grand prix weekend. During an intense title fight against Piastri, his reference to one of Ayrton Senna’s most famous sentiments was lost on no one but the incident which triggered his statement differed completely to those that defined Senna's great rivalries.

“If you fault me for simply attempting an inside move of a big gap then you don't belong in F1,” Norris said of his opening-lap attempt to pass that led to their vehicles making contact.

The remark seemed to echo Senna’s “Should you stop attempting an available gap that exists then you cease to be a true racer” justification he provided to the racing knight after he ploughed into Alain Prost at Suzuka back in 1990, securing him the title.

Similar spirit but different circumstances

Although the attitude is similar, the wording is where the similarities end. Senna later admitted he never intended to allow Prost beat him through the first corner while Norris did try to make his pass cleanly at the Marina Bay circuit. Indeed, it was a perfectly valid effort that went unpenalised even with the glancing blow he made against his team colleague during the pass. This incident was a result of him clipping the Red Bull of Max Verstappen ahead of him.

Piastri reacted furiously and, notably, instantly stated that Norris gaining the place seemed unjust; suggesting that their collision was verboten by team protocols of engagement and Norris should be instructed to give back the position he gained. McLaren did not do so, yet it demonstrated that during disputes of contention, both will promptly appeal the squad to intervene in their favor.

Squad management and fairness under scrutiny

This is part and parcel of McLaren’s laudable efforts to let their drivers race one another and strive to maintain strict fairness. Aside from tying some torturous knots in setting precedents over what constitutes fair or unfair – which, under these auspices, now includes bad luck, strategy and racing incidents such as in Singapore – there is the question regarding opinions.

Most crucially to the title race, six races left, Piastri is ahead of Norris by 22 points, there is what each driver perceives on fairness and at what point their perspectives might split with that of the McLaren pitwall. Which is when their friendly rapport between the two could eventually – become a little bit more the iconic rivalry.

“It will reach to a situation where minor points count,” commented Mercedes boss Wolff after Singapore. “Then calculations will begin and back-calculate and I guess 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, increased excitement will probably be welcomed as a track duel rather than a data-driven decision of circumstances. Not least because in Formula One the other impression from these events isn't very inspiring.

To be fair, McLaren are making the correct decisions for themselves with successful results. They secured their 10th constructors’ title in Singapore (albeit a brilliant success overshadowed by the controversy from the Norris-Piastri moment) and in Andrea Stella as squad leader they have an ethical and upright commander who genuinely wants to act correctly.

Sporting integrity versus squad control

Yet having drivers in a championship fight appealing to the team for resolutions is unedifying. Their contest should be decided on track. Luck and destiny will play their part, yet preferable to allow them just battle freely and observe outcomes naturally, than the impression that each contentious incident will be pored over by the squad to ascertain whether intervention is needed and then cleared up later in private.

The examination will intensify with every occurrence it is in danger of potentially making a difference that could be critical. Previously, following the team's decision for position swaps at Monza because Norris had endured a slow pit stop and Piastri feeling he had been hard done by regarding tactics at Hungary, where Norris triumphed, the spectre of a fear of favouritism also looms.

Squad viewpoint and upcoming tests

No one wants to witness a championship constantly disputed over perceived that fairness attempts had not been balanced. When asked if he believed the squad had managed to do right by both drivers, Piastri said he believed they had, but mentioned that it was an ever-evolving approach.

“We've had several challenging moments and we discussed various aspects,” he said after Singapore. “But ultimately it’s a learning process with the whole team.”

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