Norris compared to Senna and Oscar Piastri as Prost? Not exactly, however the team needs to pray title gets decided through racing

McLaren and F1 could do with any conclusive outcome during this championship battle between Norris and Oscar Piastri getting resolved on the track rather than without reference to the pit wall as the title run-in kicks off this weekend at COTA starting Friday.

Singapore Grand Prix fallout prompts internal strain

With the Marina Bay event’s doubtless extensive and stressful debriefs concluded, the Woking-based squad is aiming for a fresh start. The British driver was almost certainly fully conscious about the historical parallels of his riposte to his aggrieved teammate at the last race weekend. In a fiercely contested championship duel with the Australian, his reference to a famous Senna most famous sentiments was lost on no one yet the occurrence which triggered his statement was of an entirely different nature to those that defined Senna's great rivalries.

“Should you criticize me for simply attempting on the inside through an opening then you don't belong in Formula One,” stated Norris regarding his first-lap move to overtake that led to their vehicles making contact.

The remark appeared to paraphrase the Brazilian legend's “Should you stop attempting for a gap which is there you are no longer a true racer” defence he gave to Sir Jackie Stewart following his collision with the French champion at Suzuka back in 1990, securing him the championship.

Similar spirit but different circumstances

While the spirit is similar, the phrasing is where the similarities end. Senna later admitted he had no intent of letting Prost beat him through the first corner whereas Norris attempted to execute a clean overtake at the Marina Bay circuit. Indeed, it was a perfectly valid effort which received no penalty even with the glancing blow he made against his McLaren teammate as he went through. This incident stemmed from him touching the car of Max Verstappen in front of him.

The Australian responded angrily and, notably, immediately declared that Norris's position gain seemed unjust; the implication being the two teammates clashing was verboten by team protocols for racing and Norris should be instructed to return the position he gained. The team refused, yet it demonstrated that during disputes between them, each would quickly ask to the team to intervene in their favor.

Squad management and impartiality being examined

This is part and parcel from McLaren's commendable approach to let their drivers race one another and strive to maintain strict fairness. Quite apart from creating complex dilemmas in setting precedents about what defines fair or unfair – which, under these auspices, now includes misfortune, tactical calls and racing incidents like in Marina Bay – there is the question regarding opinions.

Of most import for the championship, six races left, Piastri is ahead of Norris by 22 points, each racer's view exists as fair and when their opinion may diverge from the team's stance. That is when their friendly rapport between the two could eventually – become a little bit more Senna-Prost.

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

Audience expectations and title consequences

For the audience, in what is a two-horse race, getting interesting will likely be appreciated in the form of a track duel rather than a data-driven decision of circumstances. Not least because in Formula One the alternative perception from all this isn't very inspiring.

To be fair, McLaren are making the correct decisions for themselves and it has paid off. They secured their tenth team championship at Marina Bay (albeit a brilliant success overshadowed by the controversy from their drivers' clash) and in Andrea Stella as team principal they possess a moral 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 to decide matters appears unsightly. Their contest ought to be determined 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 team to ascertain whether they need to intervene and then cleared up afterwards behind closed doors.

The scrutiny will intensify with every occurrence it is in danger of potentially making a difference which might prove decisive. Already, after the team made for position swaps in Italy due to Norris experiencing a delayed stop and Piastri feeling he was treated unfairly regarding tactics at Hungary, where Norris triumphed, the shadow of concern about bias also emerges.

Team perspective and upcoming tests

No one wants to see a title endlessly debated over perceived that the efforts to be fair had not been balanced. Questioned whether he felt the team had managed to do right toward both racers, Piastri responded that they did, but mentioned it's a developing process.

“There’s been some challenging moments and we’ve spoken about various aspects,” he stated after Singapore. “But ultimately it’s a learning process for the entire squad.”

Six meetings remain. McLaren have little wriggle room left to do their cramming, so it may be better now to simply stop analyzing and withdraw from the fray.