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The British racing team along with Formula One could do with anything decisive in the title fight involving Norris & Piastri getting resolved on the track rather than without resorting to the pit wall with the championship finale kicks off this weekend at COTA on Friday.

Singapore Grand Prix fallout prompts internal strain

With the Singapore Grand Prix’s undoubtedly thorough and stressful post-race analyses concluded, the Woking-based squad is aiming for a fresh start. The British driver was likely more than aware about the historical parallels regarding his retort toward his upset colleague at the last race weekend. During an intense championship duel with the Australian, that Norris invoked one of Ayrton Senna’s most famous sentiments was lost on no one but the incident that provoked his comment differed completely from incidents characterizing Senna's great rivalries.

“If you fault me for just going an inside move through an opening then you don't belong in F1,” stated Norris regarding his first-lap move to pass which resulted in their vehicles making contact.

The remark seemed to echo Senna’s “If you no longer go an available gap which is there then you cease to be a racing driver” justification he provided to Sir Jackie Stewart following his collision with Alain Prost at Suzuka back in 1990, securing him the title.

Similar spirit yet distinct situations

While the spirit remains comparable, the phrasing is where the similarities end. The late champion confessed he never intended to allow Prost to defeat 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 despite the minor contact he had with his McLaren teammate during the pass. This incident was a result of him touching the Red Bull of Max Verstappen in front of him.

Piastri reacted furiously and, significantly, instantly stated that Norris gaining the place seemed unjust; suggesting that their collision was verboten by team protocols for racing and Norris should be instructed to return the position he gained. McLaren did not do so, but it was indicative that during disputes between them, each would quickly ask to the team to intervene on his behalf.

Squad management and fairness under scrutiny

This is part and parcel of McLaren’s laudable efforts to let their drivers race against each other and strive to be as scrupulously fair. Aside from creating complex dilemmas in setting precedents over what constitutes fair or unfair – which, under these auspices, now includes bad luck, strategy and racing incidents such as in Singapore – there is the question of perception.

Of most import for the championship, six races left, Piastri is ahead of Norris by twenty-two points, each racer's view exists on fairness and at what point their opinion may diverge from the team's stance. Which is when the amicable relationship between the two could eventually – become a little bit more Senna-Prost.

“It’s going to come to a situation where a few points will matter,” said Mercedes boss Toto Wolff post-race. “Then they’ll start to calculate and re-calculations and I suppose the elbows are going to come out further. That’s when it starts to become thrilling.”

Viewer desires and championship implications

For the audience, during this dual battle, increased excitement will likely be appreciated in the form of an on-track confrontation instead of a spreadsheet-based arbitration regarding incidents. Not least because in Formula One the alternative perception from these events isn't very inspiring.

To be fair, McLaren are making the correct decisions for themselves with successful results. They clinched their 10th constructors’ title at Marina Bay (though a great achievement overshadowed by the controversy from the Norris-Piastri moment) and with Stella as squad leader they have an ethical and upright commander who truly aims to act correctly.

Sporting integrity versus team management

Yet having drivers competing for the title appealing to the team to decide matters appears unsightly. Their contest ought to be determined on track. Chance and fate will have roles, but better to let them simply go at it and see how fortune falls, rather than the sense that each contentious incident will be pored over by the team to ascertain whether they need to intervene and subsequently resolved afterwards behind closed doors.

The examination will intensify and each time it happens it risks possibly affecting outcomes which might prove decisive. Already, following the team's decision their drivers swap places in Italy due to Norris experiencing a slow pit stop and Piastri feeling he had been hard done by regarding tactics at Hungary, where Norris triumphed, the spectre of a fear of favouritism also emerges.

Team perspective and upcoming tests

Nobody desires to see a title constantly disputed over perceived that fairness attempts had not been balanced. When asked if he believed the squad had acted correctly toward both racers, Piastri responded he believed they had, but noted that it was an ever-evolving approach.

“We've had several challenging moments and we discussed a number of things,” he said after Singapore. “However finally it’s a learning process with the whole team.”

Six meetings remain. McLaren have little wriggle room left for last-minute adjustments, thus perhaps wiser to just close the books and step back from the fray.