McLaren has taken an unprecedented step for the Abu Dhabi finale, giving Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri full freedom to fight for the title, signaling an open battle within the team this weekend. The season-ending race in Abu Dhabi concludes one of the most intense championship battles in recent years: Norris and Piastri arrive at the final round with the chance to bring McLaren its first drivers’ title since 2008. Max Verstappen remains the only outsider capable of spoiling McLaren’s celebrations during this Abu Dhabi weekend.
The team has decided to maintain its internal approach, despite the tension of the championship duel. Both drivers will be free to play their cards without restrictions, but there will be no sharing of setup data between the two cars.
After the Qatar Grand Prix, the Woking factory carried out several simulations, including dynamic ones. From these tests, the two base setups chosen by the drivers were defined, along with all the variants to optimize them.
Separate data to avoid internal advantages
The Abu Dhabi novelty is clear. As reported by Paolo Filisetti, to avoid giving an edge to either driver, McLaren has chosen to completely separate the data. Simulator and dynamic test bench materials will be delivered only to each driver’s dedicated engineers.
This rule will remain in place throughout the weekend, at least until the qualifying setup is finalized. There will be no technical exchanges, no joint comparisons. Briefings will be separate, held within the McLaren hospitality, each with its own group of engineers.
This is an unprecedented decision for the team, designed to ensure that both drivers have the fairest conditions possible to express their maximum potential.
Regarding team orders, the stance is clear: there will be no interventions after the start. Norris and Piastri are free to race. This freedom will continue during the main phase of the race and will only be restricted if Piastri is no longer in contention for the title in the final stint. Only in that case might McLaren step in to protect its championship chances.
An unprecedented season finale for the team
McLaren’s approach demonstrates a clear goal: to give both drivers the same conditions and technical autonomy, while also securing the drivers’ title in the cleanest way possible. Norris and Piastri will arrive in Abu Dhabi with two separate setups, two independent briefings, and fully independent technical paths. This is a new philosophy for McLaren and reflects the team’s desire to reach the final challenge without internal shadows.
The championship will be decided between Lando Norris, Oscar Piastri, and Max Verstappen, and McLaren has chosen to leave full responsibility for the result in the hands of its drivers.
When the lights go out for the final time in 2025, the destiny of the championship will rest purely on driving talent, race craft and a little luck – exactly how McLaren wants it remembered.
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