F1 | Stella does not rule out team orders, but with a condition: McLaren strategy at Abu Dhabi
Stella reveals McLaren’s strategy: with Lando Norris under threat from Max Verstappen, could the team actually sacrifice Oscar Piastri at Abu Dhabi through team orders? Not having resolved the driver title before the final race at Yas Marina could place the papaya team in a complicated scenario. Some suggest that McLaren should focus on Norris, the championship leader, potentially sacrificing Piastri through team orders at Abu Dhabi. Team principal Andrea Stella clarified the team’s position ahead of the decisive weekend.
Three drivers will compete for the 2025 Drivers’ Championship in the final F1 weekend. At Yas Marina, McLaren will aim to secure the title while defending against Verstappen’s furious charge.
Stella loyal to McLaren’s papaya rules: no team orders
Norris leads the standings, followed by Verstappen (-12) and Piastri (-16). Having two “rival” drivers in the decisive race could be counterproductive for the Woking team, which, however, does not intend to change the papaya rules adopted throughout the season. “I think any call we make will have to follow some of our fundamental principles, which are core to our approach,” explained Andrea Stella.
“I want to be fair to our drivers,” continued the Italian engineer. “We want to race with integrity, in a way that doesn’t surprise our drivers. Before the weekend, there will be further discussions with Lando and Oscar. We will confirm our approach: certainly, if either of our drivers is in a position to fight for the title, we will respect that ambition.”
Norris-Piastri free to race: “But beat Verstappen”
Collaboration between the two papaya drivers is not ruled out, but only under certain conditions. Team orders will not be considered if they remove a McLaren driver from the fight. The British team will not focus solely on Lando Norris, according to Andrea Stella: “There will be no calls that exclude the other driver from the battle if that driver is in a position to win. We will see how the scenario unfolds, but certainly there will be conversations.”
“We will allow our drivers to race against each other. The important thing for us will be to beat Max Verstappen with one of our two drivers. We have two drivers fighting for the Drivers’ Championship, but our philosophy will not change. We will give Oscar and Lando the opportunity to compete and pursue their dreams. Oscar can definitely still win the title,” concluded the McLaren team principal.
In short, unless one McLaren driver drops out of mathematical contention during the Abu Dhabi weekend, fans can expect another wheel-to-wheel battle between Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri – with both fully authorised to go for glory while the team keeps its focus locked on stopping Max Verstappen’s late charge.
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