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The British racing team and Formula One would benefit from anything decisive in the championship battle involving Lando Norris and Piastri being decided on the track rather than without reference to the pit wall as the title run-in begins at the Circuit of the Americas on Friday.

Marina Bay race fallout prompts internal strain

After the Singapore Grand Prix’s doubtless extensive and tense post-race analyses dealt with, McLaren is aiming for a fresh start. The British driver was almost certainly fully conscious about the historical parallels regarding his retort toward his upset colleague at the last grand prix weekend. During an intense title fight against Piastri, that Norris invoked one of Ayrton Senna’s well-known quotes did not go unnoticed but the incident that provoked his comment differed completely from incidents characterizing the Brazilian’s iconic battles.

“If you fault me for simply attempting an inside move of a big gap then you don't belong in F1,” Norris said of his opening-lap attempt to pass which resulted in their vehicles making contact.

His comment seemed to echo the Brazilian legend's “Should you stop attempting for a gap that exists you are no longer a true racer” defence he provided to the racing knight after he ploughed into the French champion in Japan in 1990, ensuring he took the title.

Parallel mindset yet distinct situations

Although the attitude is similar, the wording is where the similarities end. Senna later admitted he had no intent of letting Prost to defeat him through the first corner whereas Norris attempted to execute a clean overtake at the Marina Bay circuit. In fact, his maneuver was legitimate which received no penalty despite the minor contact he had with his McLaren teammate during the pass. This incident stemmed from him clipping the Red Bull of Max Verstappen ahead of him.

Piastri reacted furiously and, notably, instantly stated that Norris gaining the place was “unfair”; the implication being their collision was forbidden under McLaren’s rules for racing and Norris ought to be told to return the place he had made. McLaren did not do so, but it was indicative that in any cases between them, both will promptly appeal the squad to step in in their favor.

Squad management and impartiality under scrutiny

This is part and parcel of McLaren’s laudable efforts to allow their racers compete against each other and strive to be as scrupulously fair. Aside from tying some torturous knots in setting precedents over what constitutes just or unjust – under these conditions, now includes misfortune, tactical calls and on-track occurrences like in Marina Bay – there is the question of perception.

Of most import to the title race, with six meetings remaining, Piastri leads Norris by 22 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 the amicable relationship among them could eventually – become a little bit more Senna-Prost.

“It’s going to come to a situation where minor points count,” said Mercedes boss Toto Wolff post-race. “Then calculations will begin and re-calculations and I guess aggression will increase further. That's when it begins to get interesting.”

Audience expectations and championship implications

For the audience, in what is a two-horse race, getting interesting will likely be appreciated in the form of an on-track confrontation instead of a spreadsheet-based arbitration of circumstances. Especially since for F1 the alternative perception from all this isn't very inspiring.

Honestly speaking, McLaren are making the correct decisions for their interests with successful results. They secured their 10th constructors’ title at Marina Bay (albeit a brilliant success overshadowed by the fuss prompted by the Norris-Piastri moment) and with Stella as squad leader they possess a moral and principled leader who genuinely wants to do the right thing.

Sporting integrity against squad control

Yet having drivers competing for the title looking to the pitwall to decide matters is unedifying. Their contest ought to be determined through racing. Chance and fate will play their part, yet preferable to allow them just battle freely and observe outcomes naturally, rather than the sense that each contentious incident will be analyzed intensely by the team to ascertain whether they need to intervene and subsequently resolved later in private.

The scrutiny will intensify with every occurrence it risks possibly affecting outcomes that could be critical. Already, after the team made for position swaps at Monza due to Norris experiencing a slow pit stop and Piastri feeling he was treated unfairly regarding tactics in Budapest, where Norris triumphed, the spectre of a fear of favouritism also looms.

Squad viewpoint and future challenges

No one wants to see a title constantly disputed over perceived that fairness attempts had not been balanced. Questioned whether he felt the team had managed to do right by both drivers, Piastri said that they did, but noted it's a developing process.

“There’s been some difficult situations and we’ve spoken about a number of things,” he said after Singapore. “But ultimately it’s a learning process for the entire squad.”

Six races stay. McLaren have little room for error for last-minute adjustments, so it may be better now to simply close the books and step back from the fray.