McLaren has confirmed it will not hesitate to use team orders in the final race of the Formula 1 season this Sunday, as the battle for the drivers' championship reaches a dramatic climax in Abu Dhabi.
Brown's Pragmatic Stance on Team Strategy
Speaking at the Yas Marina Circuit, McLaren CEO Zak Brown stated the team is prepared to intervene strategically to maximise its chances of securing the title. Lando Norris currently leads the standings by 10 points from Red Bull's Max Verstappen, with his teammate Oscar Piastri a further six points adrift. After a season of allowing their drivers to race freely, Brown admitted the final round necessitates a more pragmatic approach.
"Yes, of course. We're realistic, we want to win this drivers' championship," Brown said. "If we get into the race and it's becoming pretty clear that one has a chance and the other doesn't, we're going to do what we can to win. It would be crazy not to."
Brown dismissed suggestions this represented a U-turn on the team's principles of fairness, framing it instead as an exercise in common sense. He emphasised that the team would not let a championship slip away over minor positional swaps if one driver's title hopes were mathematically over.
The Likely Scenarios for a Title Decider
The most probable situation requiring team intervention would involve Piastri ceding a position to Norris to secure a vital podium finish. Norris needs to finish third or higher to guarantee his first world championship, regardless of where Verstappen finishes. If the Red Bull driver wins the race, the pressure on McLaren's strategic decisions will intensify.
Brown expressed full confidence that both drivers would accept any instruction from the pit wall. "Our drivers have always complied with team wishes just as we comply with their wishes," he noted. "So I've got no doubt either of our drivers will continue to race, as they've done brilliantly, in the best interests of the team."
Neither Norris nor Piastri had discussed specific orders with the team as of Thursday, but team principal Andrea Stella had previously indicated clear plans would be established ahead of the finale.
Verstappen's Threat and Practice Form
Despite Norris's points advantage, Max Verstappen remains a formidable threat, aiming for a fifth consecutive drivers' crown. The Dutchman has staged a remarkable comeback from a 104-point deficit after the Dutch Grand Prix in August. Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies praised Verstappen's relentless consistency, stating he "never does a mistake" and inspires confidence throughout the team.
Early practice sessions at Yas Marina showed promising signs for McLaren. Norris topped the timesheets in both first and second practice, looking relaxed and confident. In the second session, he was three-tenths of a second quicker than Verstappen in second place. Piastri, however, finished 11th in that session, reportedly struggling with balance issues after sitting out the first practice to fulfil the team's obligation to run a young driver.
The stage is now set for a tense and potentially controversial showdown in the desert, where team strategy could prove as decisive as outright speed in determining the 2025 Formula 1 World Champion.
