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McLaren along with F1 could do with anything decisive in the title fight between Norris & Piastri being decided through on-track action and without resorting to team orders with the title run-in begins this weekend at Circuit of the Americas starting Friday.

Marina Bay race fallout prompts team tensions

After the Singapore Grand Prix’s doubtless extensive and stressful debriefs concluded, McLaren is aiming for a fresh start. The British driver was almost certainly fully conscious about the historical parallels of his riposte toward his upset colleague during the previous race weekend. During an intense title fight with the Australian, that Norris invoked one of Ayrton Senna’s most famous sentiments did not go unnoticed but the incident that provoked his comment differed completely from incidents characterizing the Brazilian’s great rivalries.

“Should you criticize me for simply attempting on the inside through an opening then you don't belong in F1,” Norris said regarding his first-lap move to pass that led to the cars colliding.

The remark appeared to paraphrase Senna’s “Should you stop attempting an available gap which is there you are no longer a true racer” justification he provided to Sir Jackie Stewart after he ploughed into the French champion at Suzuka in 1990, securing him the title.

Similar spirit yet distinct situations

While the spirit is similar, the wording is where the similarities end. The late champion confessed he never intended of letting Prost to defeat him at turn one whereas Norris attempted 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 McLaren teammate during the pass. That itself was a result of him clipping the Red Bull of Max Verstappen in front of him.

The Australian responded angrily and, notably, immediately declared that Norris gaining the place seemed unjust; suggesting that the two teammates clashing was forbidden by team protocols of engagement 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 to the team to step in on his behalf.

Team dynamics and impartiality being examined

This is part and parcel from McLaren's commendable approach to allow their racers compete one another and to try to be as scrupulously fair. Aside from creating complex dilemmas in setting precedents about what defines fair or unfair – which, under these auspices, now covers misfortune, strategy and racing incidents like in Marina Bay – there is the question of perception.

Most crucially to the title race, six races left, Piastri is ahead of Norris by 22 points, each racer's view exists as fair and when their opinion may diverge with that of the McLaren pitwall. Which is when their friendly rapport between the two could eventually – turn somewhat into the iconic rivalry.

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

Audience expectations and championship implications

For spectators, during this dual battle, increased excitement will probably be welcomed in the form of a track duel instead of a spreadsheet-based arbitration of circumstances. Especially since in Formula One the alternative perception from all this isn't very inspiring.

Honestly speaking, McLaren are making appropriate choices for themselves and it has paid off. They secured their tenth team championship at Marina Bay (albeit a brilliant success overshadowed by the fuss prompted by their drivers' clash) and with Stella as squad leader they possess a moral and principled leader who genuinely wants to act correctly.

Sporting integrity versus team management

Yet having drivers competing for the title appealing to the team for resolutions is unedifying. 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 they need to intervene and then cleared up later in private.

The scrutiny will intensify with every occurrence it risks potentially making a difference which might prove decisive. Already, after the team made for position swaps at Monza due to Norris experiencing a slow pit stop and Piastri feeling he was treated unfairly with the strategy call in Budapest, where Norris triumphed, the shadow of concern of favouritism also looms.

Team perspective and upcoming tests

No one wants to witness a championship constantly disputed over perceived that fairness attempts were unequal. Questioned whether he felt the team had managed to do right toward both racers, Piastri said that they did, but noted that it was an ever-evolving approach.

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

Six races stay. The team has minimal wriggle room left to do their cramming, thus perhaps wiser to just close the books and step back from the conflict.