16/07/2025 12:55
McLaren CEO Zak Brown has revealed McLaren's clear stance that it
is going to let Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri fight for the F1
drivers' title, without introducing team orders. Piastri holds a
small eight-point advantage over Norris in the championship, whilst
Max Verstappen in third is 69 points adrift. Unless something
truly extraordinary takes place, it is set to be an all-McLaren
duel for what would be a maiden title for either Piastri or Norris.
The McLaren duo have already collided this year, with Norris having
crashed into Piastri in the closing laps of the Canadian Grand
Prix. Piastri then almost went into the back of Norris at the Red
Bull Ring, but managed to avoid contact. It has resulted in some
nervy races for Brown, who is prepared to let the two drivers
battle each other for the crown. "We're letting them go. It's up to
them to decide who wins the world championship," Brown said at the
Goodwood FOS. "I hope it's one of the two. I think we need to
extend our lead a little bit more before we get comfortable. "But
you're never quite comfortable in this sport and just let them keep
racing. I thought Austria was a great demonstration of how hard
they can race each other and cleanly." Key Stella role McLaren can
allow its drivers to fight for the title due to boasting a
238-point lead in the constructors' title, with a defence of its
crown looking highly likely. Team principal Andrea Stella has been
a pivotal part of McLaren's resurgence, something Brown is
confident would not have happened with the Italian. "He's been
critical to our success," insisted Brown. "He's an unbelievable
leader. "Really knows how to get the most out of everyone on the
team, push them, give them feedback, give them support, and we
wouldn't be where we are without Andrea."