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McLaren and Formula One could do with any conclusive outcome during this championship battle between Norris & Piastri being decided on the track rather than without resorting to team orders with the championship finale kicks off at the Circuit of the Americas starting Friday.

Singapore Grand Prix fallout leads to team tensions

With the Marina Bay event’s doubtless extensive and tense post-race analyses concluded, McLaren is aiming for a fresh start. Norris was likely more than aware of the historical context regarding his retort to his aggrieved teammate during the previous race weekend. In a fiercely contested title fight against Piastri, that Norris invoked a famous Senna most famous sentiments did not go unnoticed but the incident that provoked his comment was of an entirely different nature to those that defined the Brazilian’s iconic battles.

“Should you criticize me for simply attempting an inside move of a big gap then you don't belong in F1,” Norris said regarding his first-lap move to overtake that led to their vehicles making contact.

The remark seemed to echo the Brazilian legend's “If you no longer go an available gap which is there then you cease to be a true racer” justification he gave to the racing knight following his collision with Alain Prost at Suzuka back in 1990, securing him the title.

Similar spirit but different circumstances

While the spirit is similar, the wording is where the similarities end. Senna later admitted he never intended of letting Prost beat him through the first corner whereas Norris did try to make his pass cleanly in Singapore. In fact, his maneuver was legitimate that went unpenalised even with the glancing blow he had with his McLaren teammate as he went through. This incident stemmed from him clipping the Red Bull of Max Verstappen ahead of him.

The Australian responded angrily and, notably, instantly stated that Norris gaining the place was “unfair”; suggesting that the two teammates clashing was forbidden by team protocols of engagement and Norris ought to be told to return the place he had made. McLaren did not do so, but it was indicative that during disputes between them, both will promptly appeal to the team to intervene in their favor.

Team dynamics and impartiality being examined

This comes naturally of McLaren’s laudable efforts to allow their racers compete against each other and strive to maintain strict fairness. Quite apart from tying some torturous knots in setting precedents about what defines just or unjust – which, under these auspices, now includes bad luck, tactical calls and on-track occurrences such as in Singapore – there is the question of perception.

Of most import to the title race, six races left, Piastri leads Norris by twenty-two points, each racer's view exists on fairness and when their opinion may diverge from the team's stance. That is when their friendly rapport among them may – finally – turn somewhat into Senna-Prost.

“It’s going to come a point where minor points count,” commented Mercedes boss Wolff post-race. “Then calculations will begin and re-calculations and I suppose aggression will increase a bit more. That’s when it starts to get interesting.”

Viewer desires and title consequences

For the audience, during this dual battle, getting interesting will likely be appreciated as an on-track confrontation instead of a data-driven decision of circumstances. Especially since for F1 the alternative perception from all this is not particularly rousing.

To be fair, McLaren are making appropriate choices for themselves and it has paid off. They secured their 10th constructors’ title at Marina Bay (albeit a brilliant success overshadowed by the fuss prompted by their drivers' clash) and with Stella as squad leader they possess a moral and principled leader who genuinely wants to act correctly.

Racing purity against squad control

However, with racers in a championship fight looking to the pitwall for resolutions appears unsightly. Their competition should be decided on track. Chance and fate will play their part, but better to let them simply go at it and observe outcomes naturally, than the impression that each contentious incident will be pored over by the squad to determine if intervention is needed and subsequently resolved later in private.

The examination will increase and each time it happens it risks possibly affecting outcomes which might prove decisive. Previously, following the team's decision their drivers swap places at Monza due to Norris experiencing a delayed stop and Piastri feeling he was treated unfairly regarding tactics at Hungary, where Norris won, the shadow of concern of favouritism also looms.

Squad viewpoint and upcoming tests

Nobody desires to witness a championship constantly disputed over perceived that the efforts to be fair had not been balanced. When asked if he believed the squad had acted correctly by both drivers, Piastri said that they did, but mentioned that it was an ever-evolving approach.

“There’s been some challenging moments and we’ve spoken about various aspects,” he stated after Singapore. “But ultimately it's educational with the whole team.”

Six races stay. McLaren have little room for error for last-minute adjustments, so it may be better to just stop analyzing and step back from the fray.