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The British racing team and Formula One would benefit from any conclusive outcome in the title fight involving Norris & Oscar Piastri being decided on the track rather than without reference to team orders with the title run-in begins at the COTA on Friday.

Singapore Grand Prix aftermath leads to team tensions

With the Marina Bay event’s doubtless extensive and tense post-race analyses dealt with, the Woking-based squad is aiming for a reset. Norris was likely more than aware of the historical context of his riposte toward his upset colleague during the previous grand prix weekend. During an intense title fight against Piastri, that Norris invoked one of Ayrton Senna’s most famous sentiments did not go unnoticed but the incident which triggered his statement was of an entirely different nature from incidents characterizing the Brazilian’s iconic battles.

“If you fault me for simply attempting on the inside through an opening then you should not be in F1,” Norris said of his opening-lap attempt to pass that led to their vehicles making contact.

His comment seemed to echo the Brazilian legend's “If you no longer go for a gap that exists then you cease to be a true racer” justification he provided to Sir Jackie Stewart after he ploughed into Alain Prost at Suzuka back in 1990, ensuring he took the title.

Parallel mindset but different circumstances

Although the attitude remains comparable, the phrasing is where the similarities end. The late champion confessed he had no intent to allow Prost to defeat him through the first corner while Norris attempted to execute a clean overtake in Singapore. Indeed, his maneuver was legitimate that went unpenalised even with the glancing blow he had with his team colleague during the pass. That itself was a result of him clipping the car driven by Verstappen ahead of him.

The Australian responded angrily and, notably, instantly stated that Norris's position gain was “unfair”; the implication being their collision was verboten under McLaren’s rules for racing and Norris ought to be told to return the position he gained. The team refused, yet it demonstrated that during disputes between them, both will promptly appeal the squad to intervene in their favor.

Squad management and impartiality under scrutiny

This comes naturally from McLaren's commendable approach to allow their racers compete against each other and to try to maintain strict fairness. Aside from tying some torturous knots when establishing rules over what constitutes just or unjust – under these conditions, now includes misfortune, tactical calls and on-track occurrences like in Marina Bay – there remains the issue regarding opinions.

Of most import to the title race, with six meetings remaining, Piastri leads Norris by 22 points, each racer's view exists on fairness and when their perspectives might split with that of the McLaren pitwall. Which is when the amicable relationship among them may – finally – become a little bit more the iconic rivalry.

“It will reach to a situation where minor points count,” said Mercedes team principal Wolff after Singapore. “Then calculations will begin and re-calculations and I suppose the elbows are going to come out further. That's when it begins to get interesting.”

Audience expectations and championship implications

For the audience, in what is a two-horse race, increased excitement will probably be welcomed as a track duel rather than a spreadsheet-based arbitration regarding incidents. Especially since for F1 the alternative perception from these events isn't very inspiring.

To be fair, McLaren are making appropriate choices for themselves with successful results. They secured their tenth team championship at Marina Bay (though a great achievement overshadowed by the fuss prompted by the Norris-Piastri moment) and in Andrea Stella as squad leader they have an ethical and upright commander who truly aims to do the right thing.

Sporting integrity versus squad control

Yet having drivers competing for the title appealing to the team for resolutions appears unsightly. Their contest should be decided on track. Luck and destiny will play their part, but better to let them simply go at it and observe outcomes naturally, rather than the sense that each contentious incident will be pored over by the squad to ascertain whether they need to intervene and subsequently resolved afterwards behind closed doors.

The scrutiny will increase and each time it happens it is in danger of potentially making a difference that could be critical. Already, after the team made for position swaps in Italy due to Norris experiencing a delayed stop and Piastri feeling he had been hard done by with the strategy call at Hungary, where Norris triumphed, the spectre of a fear about bias also looms.

Squad viewpoint and upcoming tests

Nobody desires to see a title endlessly debated over perceived that fairness attempts had not been balanced. Questioned whether he felt the team had acted correctly by both drivers, Piastri said that they did, but mentioned it's a developing process.

“There’s been some challenging moments and we’ve spoken about a number of things,” he said post-race. “However finally it’s a learning process with the whole team.”

Six races stay. McLaren have little wriggle room left to do their cramming, so it may be better to just stop analyzing and withdraw from the conflict.