Power struggle at McLaren: Norris and Piastri could trigger team orders

22:00, 22 Jul

byCas van de Kleut

With virtually nothing separating Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris in the standings, Gary Anderson believes one key factor could tip the balance in favor of one driver over the second half of the season.

Anderson discussed the duo Norris-Piastri in a column for The Race: ''As for its drivers, it has probably the most evenly matched pairing. Oscar Piastri has scored an average of 19.5 points from a potential 25 points per race, while Lando Norris is going at 18.8 points per race - so just a 0.7 point difference.''

''This shows how important a two-car team, with both drivers contributing, is.''

Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris

A razor-thin balance between Norris and Piastri

In 2024, McLaren occasionally resorted to team orders — like when Norris was instructed to let Piastri through in Hungary, or when the Brit was reminded of the so-called 'papaya rules' later in the season. This year, however, such directives have largely been absent.

About this, Anderson commented: ''We have criticised the team, myself included, for not implementing team orders but when you look at the points situation it’s clear there’s no need to.''

''McLaren is on course to win the constructors’ championship and whichever of the two drivers keeps his nose cleanest will win the drivers’ title.''

In conclusion, the former car designer added: ''This also means that, in reality, the cleverer of the two drivers could instigate those team orders themselves by earning priority through performance.''

McLaren currently holds a commanding lead in the Constructors' Championship, sitting 238 points clear of second-placed Ferrari. In the Drivers' standings, the title battle appears to be an internal affair, with both McLaren drivers leading the charge. Lando Norris has won the last two races, increasing the pressure on teammate Oscar Piastri.