McLaren duo Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri were involved in a clash at the Canadian Grand Prix 2025. Now, all of us know McLaren has the no-contact policy within the team, but Norris quickly apologised for making contact with Piastri, leading to leniency in the aftermath. Now, the team has made a clear declaration regarding its approach to team orders for the remainder of the 2025 F1 season.
McLaren Team Principal Rejects Strict Team Orders
Team Principal Andrea Stella has publicly rejected the idea of imposing strict team orders on drivers, as seen in other teams. Despite the high-stakes battle for both the Constructors’ and Drivers’ Championship, he has made it clear that McLaren’s philosophy is to allow both Norris and Piastri to race freely.
“Being free to race and being clear as to how we go racing is a value of racing. It’s a value of racing that we want to try and exercise and respect as much as we can. Rather than every time that we have proximity between the two cars, then have control from the pit wall. [Racing] like that, racing may soon become a bit of an artefact,” he said.
Oscar Piastri Feels There Is No Need For Team Orders
Oscar Piastri, the championship leader, has also openly expressed that there is no need for team orders at McLaren unless one driver achieves an almost impossible to overtake lead over the other. He said, “I think once it’s mathematically impossible, probably [there will be team orders]. But no, I think we both want to win or try and fight for this championship and score our own points. Of course, if it becomes a time later in the year where it is genuinely impossible or very close to it, then yes, maybe that will change, but I don’t see that happening for a very long time”
Lando Norris Confirms 2025 Is A Fresh Start
Lando Norris, who was prioritised by the team during the 2024 title fight, confirmed that the “Papaya Rules,” which gave him certain privileges before, have been reset for 2025. He told the media, “2025 is a refresh and Oscar has an opportunity to fight for a championship too… I earned my right by doing a good job through the whole season to be given that opportunity. I don’t go around asking for it. It’s certainly not how I want to win a championship. I want to go out and give Max a fair fight and do my part and earn it my way,”
McLaren To Stand On Its Ground
Andrea Stella also made it clear that they want to give them both equal opportunities and want the end result to be completely determined by the driver’s performance rather than being controlled by the team.
He said, ”We want to give Lando and Oscar opportunities to race and opportunities to be, at the end of the season, in the position that they deserve to be in based on their merit, based on their performance, based on the racing quality that they have expressed through the season. Rather than being at the end of the season and realising that the points have been controlled more by the team, rather than the quality of their driving.”
Overall, McLaren has once again stood on its grounds, despite the internal rivalry. Both drivers will be allowed to race on equal terms, with the team only stepping out if the title fight becomes clear in one Driver’s favour.
Also Read: What’s Next For Lando Norris After Canadian Grand Prix 2025 Crash
