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McLaren and Formula One would benefit from anything decisive during this title fight involving Norris and Oscar Piastri being decided on the track and without reference to the pit wall as the championship finale kicks off this weekend at Circuit of the Americas on Friday.

Marina Bay race fallout leads to internal strain

After the Marina Bay event’s undoubtedly thorough and stressful debriefs dealt with, McLaren is aiming for a fresh start. Norris was likely more than aware about the historical parallels regarding his retort toward his upset colleague during the previous race weekend. During an intense title fight with the Australian, his reference to one of Ayrton Senna’s most famous sentiments did not go unnoticed but the incident which triggered his statement differed completely to those that defined the Brazilian’s great rivalries.

“Should you criticize me for just going an inside move of a big gap then you should not be in F1,” stated Norris of his opening-lap attempt to pass which resulted in their vehicles making contact.

His comment appeared to paraphrase the Brazilian legend's “Should you stop attempting an available gap that exists you are no longer a racing driver” justification he gave to the racing knight after he ploughed into Alain Prost at Suzuka in 1990, securing him the championship.

Parallel mindset yet distinct situations

While the spirit is similar, the wording is where the similarities end. Senna later admitted he never intended to allow Prost beat him through the first corner while Norris attempted to make his pass cleanly at the Marina Bay circuit. In fact, his maneuver was legitimate which received no penalty despite the minor contact he made against his team colleague as he went through. That itself stemmed from him clipping the Red Bull driven by Verstappen ahead of him.

Piastri reacted furiously and, notably, instantly stated that Norris gaining the place was “unfair”; the implication being their collision was verboten by team protocols for racing and Norris should be instructed to return the position he gained. The team refused, but it was indicative that during disputes of contention, both will promptly appeal to the team to step in on his behalf.

Team dynamics and fairness being examined

This is part and parcel from McLaren's commendable approach to let their drivers race one another and strive to be as scrupulously fair. Quite apart from creating complex dilemmas in setting precedents over what constitutes just or unjust – under these conditions, now includes bad luck, strategy and racing incidents like in Marina Bay – there is the question regarding opinions.

Most crucially to the title race, six races left, Piastri is ahead of Norris by twenty-two points, each racer's view exists as fair and at what point their opinion may diverge with that of the McLaren pitwall. Which is when their friendly rapport among them may – finally – turn somewhat into Senna-Prost.

“It will reach a point where a few points will matter,” commented Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff after Singapore. “Then they’ll start to calculate and re-calculations and I guess aggression will increase further. That’s when it starts to get interesting.”

Viewer desires and title consequences

For spectators, during this dual battle, increased excitement will probably be welcomed in the form of a track duel rather than a data-driven decision regarding incidents. Especially since for F1 the other impression from these events isn't very inspiring.

Honestly speaking, McLaren is taking the correct decisions for their interests with successful results. They secured their tenth team championship at Marina Bay (though a great achievement overshadowed by the fuss prompted by the Norris-Piastri moment) and with Stella as squad leader they have an ethical and upright commander who genuinely wants to act correctly.

Racing purity against team management

However, with racers competing for the title appealing to the team for resolutions appears unsightly. Their competition ought to be determined through racing. Chance and fate will have roles, yet preferable to allow them just battle freely and observe outcomes naturally, than the impression that every disputed moment will be pored over by the team to ascertain whether they need to intervene and then cleared up later in private.

The examination will increase with every occurrence it is in danger of potentially making a difference which might prove decisive. Previously, following the team's decision for position swaps in Italy because Norris had endured a delayed stop and Piastri feeling he was treated unfairly with the strategy call at Hungary, where Norris won, the shadow of concern of favouritism also looms.

Team perspective and upcoming tests

No one wants to witness a championship endlessly debated over perceived that the efforts to be fair were unequal. Questioned whether he believed the squad had acted correctly by both drivers, Piastri responded that they did, but noted that it was an ever-evolving approach.

“We've had several difficult situations and we’ve spoken about various aspects,” he stated post-race. “However finally it's educational for the entire squad.”

Six races stay. McLaren have little wriggle room left to do their cramming, so it may be better to just stop analyzing and step back from the conflict.