Team orders in F1: 'Red Bull keeping Perez then becomes more critical'
F1 News

McLaren have Red Bull Racing in their sights. The Woking-based team have a 42-point deficit to the current World Championship leaders, and it's a gap that can be overturned in one single weekend. David Croft suggests McLaren, and others should forget about being nice to their drivers and implement team orders regularly to put the maximum amount of pressure on Max Verstappen and Red Bull.
For the first time since the 2010 Formula 1 season - when Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton were at the helm - McLaren have a chance to fight for the Formula 1 World Championship. They arguably should've been closer. They have made a few mistakes throughout the season - and that's to be expected given they are all new to the situation of winning races - which has cost them dearly. They should've won more races. Canada, Spain and Austria to name just three.
In the Drivers' World Championship, Lando Norris is staring at a 78-point deficit, which could've been reduced by seven points had McLaren decided to keep Norris in the lead of the Hungarian Grand Prix. Norris himself could've made a big difference without making key mistakes at crucial points, including at the start in Belgium. But Croft, lead commentator for Sky Sports, senses a change coming.
How other teams can apply more pressure on Red Bull's decision
At the start of the summer break, GPblog learned that Christian Horner informed Red Bull Racing staff of the decision to keep Perez in the seat after the summer break. After much debate and criticism in the media and amongst fans due to the Mexican's poor form, Perez will simply continue. Croft sees this as potentially the wrong move if teams apply pressure with team orders.
"Let's look strategically. I think we're two or three races away from team orders being imposed regularly, whereby if Oscar is second to Lando in that McLaren battle, then Oscar, you are driving for your teammate because we need to prioritise him. Perez knows his role, he's been second to Max since he signed. Charles and Carlos are closer together, that's maybe a harder task, especially with one of them leaving. It's the same with Mercedes," Croft said on the Sky Sports podcast.
"Give it two or three races; if the lead of Max is chipped away, then I think we see team orders, and we get less variety. That will then solidify things more. Then Red Bull's decision not to replace Perez becomes even more critical," Croft added.
Want more Formula 1? Then follow GPblog on our various social media channels!
X: https://twitter.com/GPblog_com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gpblog_com/
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@gpblog.com
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@gpblogcom/featured