Norris compared to Senna and Oscar Piastri likened to Alain Prost? No, however the team needs to pray title is settled through racing

McLaren and Formula One would benefit from anything decisive in the title fight involving Lando Norris & Piastri getting resolved through on-track action rather than without resorting to the pit wall with the title run-in kicks off at the COTA on Friday.

Marina Bay race aftermath prompts internal strain

After the Singapore Grand Prix’s doubtless extensive and tense post-race analyses concluded, the Woking-based squad will be hoping for a reset. Norris was almost certainly more than aware of the historical context of his riposte toward his upset colleague during the previous grand prix weekend. In a fiercely contested championship duel with the Australian, that Norris invoked a famous Senna well-known quotes did not go unnoticed yet the occurrence which triggered his statement differed completely to those that defined Senna's iconic battles.

“Should you criticize me for simply attempting on the inside of a big gap then you should not be in F1,” Norris said regarding his first-lap move to pass that led to their vehicles making contact.

His comment appeared to paraphrase Senna’s “If you no longer go for a gap which is there then you cease to be a true racer” justification he provided to the racing knight following his collision with Alain Prost in Japan back in 1990, securing him the championship.

Parallel mindset but different circumstances

Although the attitude remains comparable, the phrasing marks where parallels stop. Senna later admitted he had no intent to allow Prost beat him at turn one whereas Norris did try to execute a clean overtake at the Marina Bay circuit. In fact, it was a perfectly valid effort which received no penalty even with the glancing blow he had with his McLaren teammate during the pass. This incident stemmed from him touching 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; the implication being the two teammates clashing was forbidden under McLaren’s rules of engagement and Norris should be instructed to give back the position he gained. The team refused, yet it demonstrated that in any cases of contention, both will promptly appeal the squad to intervene in their favor.

Team dynamics and impartiality being examined

This comes naturally of McLaren’s laudable efforts to allow their racers compete one another and strive to be as scrupulously fair. Quite apart from tying some torturous knots when establishing rules over what constitutes just or unjust – under these conditions, now covers misfortune, tactical calls and racing incidents such as in Singapore – there is the question regarding opinions.

Of most import for the championship, with six meetings remaining, Piastri leads Norris by twenty-two points, each racer's view exists as fair and when their perspectives might split with that of the McLaren pitwall. That is when the amicable relationship between the two may – finally – turn somewhat into Senna-Prost.

“It’s going to come to a situation where a few points will matter,” said Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff post-race. “Then calculations will begin and re-calculations and I guess aggression will increase a bit more. That's when it begins to become thrilling.”

Viewer desires and championship implications

For spectators, during this dual battle, getting interesting will likely be appreciated as a track duel instead of a spreadsheet-based arbitration regarding incidents. Not least because for F1 the alternative perception from these events isn't very inspiring.

To be fair, McLaren are making appropriate choices for their interests with successful results. They secured their tenth team championship in Singapore (albeit a brilliant success diminished by the controversy from the Norris-Piastri moment) and in Andrea Stella as team principal they have an ethical and upright commander who truly aims to do the right thing.

Racing purity against squad control

Yet having drivers competing for the title looking to the pitwall for resolutions appears unsightly. Their competition should be decided on track. Chance and fate will have roles, but better to let them just battle freely and observe outcomes naturally, than the impression that each contentious incident will be analyzed intensely by the team to ascertain whether they need to intervene and subsequently resolved later in private.

The examination will intensify and each time it happens it is in danger of possibly affecting outcomes which might prove decisive. Previously, after the team made their drivers swap places in Italy due to Norris experiencing a slow pit stop and Piastri believing he had been hard done by regarding tactics at Hungary, where Norris won, the shadow of concern about bias also looms.

Team perspective and upcoming tests

No one wants to witness a championship endlessly debated because it may be considered that the efforts to be fair were unequal. Questioned whether he believed the squad had acted correctly by both drivers, Piastri said he believed they had, but noted that it was an ever-evolving approach.

“We've had several challenging moments and we discussed various aspects,” he stated post-race. “But ultimately it's educational for the entire squad.”

Six races stay. McLaren have little wriggle room left to do their cramming, so it may be better to just close the books and step back from the conflict.