McLaren Confirm Shock Abu Dhabi 'Team Orders' With Verstappen Plan 'Confirmed'
McLaren team principal Andrea Stella has confirmed that team orders are a serious possibility in Abu Dhabi.
The 2024 and 2025 constructors champions head to Abu Dhabi without the driver's title secured purely based on their own mistakes, after strategy through away the win in Qatar.
Race leader Oscar Piastri and championship leader Lando Norris were the only two cars not to pit during the lap one safety car, handing victory to Max Verstappen.
McLaren also through away all their points in Las Vegas after both cars were disqualified due to excessive plank wear.
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The results in Sin City and Lusail leaves the title race a three way fight heading to Yas Marina, with Norris only needing a podium to secure a maiden championship.
With two McLaren drivers in the fight, the prospect of team orders has been a hot topic, and Stella has confirmed the team's stance ahead of the final showdown.
“Oscar is definitely capable of winning the title,” stressed Stella .
“We saw it in 2007 and 2010 and Oscar is fast and deserves the chance to show his potential."
Stella confirms Piastri could be handed team orders in Abu Dhabi
However, Stella refused to rule out forcing Piastri to move aside to hand Norris the title if required.
"We will allow the drivers to compete, but the most important thing for us is to beat Verstappen," he added.
"Whatever we decide about our drivers' cooperation must be based on our core principles, we want to be fair, race with integrity and not surprise anyone.
"We will confirm our racing approach, but if any of the drivers are capable of challenging for the title, we will respect that," he added.
A potential scenario would see Verstappen leading the race, a non contender in second and Piastri third ahead of his teammate, with a McLaren swap clinching the championship off Red Bull.
While it may seem simple on paper, the prospect of Piastri pulling a side to let his teammate take a championship he led for the majority of the year is no small ask.
However, in his pre-race comments Stella insisted he would only make the call to Piastri if his chances at the title were over.
"There will be no decision that would eliminate the other driver if he is capable of fighting for the title," the McLaren man claimed
“We will see what scenario unfolds, but one thing is for sure, there will be discussions and the team and drivers will go into the race as one, as always."
Topics: Formula 1, McLaren, Lando Norris, Oscar Piastri
Tom Jenkins