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The British racing team along with Formula One could do with any conclusive outcome during this championship battle involving Norris and Oscar Piastri getting resolved on the track rather than without reference to team orders with the championship finale kicks off this weekend at COTA on Friday.

Singapore Grand Prix fallout prompts team tensions

After the Singapore Grand Prix’s undoubtedly thorough and tense debriefs dealt with, the Woking-based squad will be hoping for a reset. Norris was likely fully conscious about the historical parallels regarding his retort toward his upset colleague during the previous grand prix weekend. During an intense championship duel with the Australian, his reference to one of Ayrton Senna’s well-known quotes was lost on no one yet the occurrence which triggered his statement was of an entirely different nature to those that defined the Brazilian’s iconic battles.

“If you fault me for simply attempting on the inside of a big gap then you don't belong in Formula One,” stated Norris regarding his first-lap move to overtake that led to their vehicles making contact.

The remark seemed to echo the Brazilian legend's “Should you stop attempting for a gap that exists then you cease to be a true racer” justification he provided to Sir Jackie Stewart following his collision with the French champion in Japan back in 1990, securing him the title.

Parallel mindset but different circumstances

Although the attitude is similar, the wording marks where parallels stop. Senna later admitted he had no intent of letting Prost beat him at turn one while Norris did try to make his pass cleanly in Singapore. In fact, it was a perfectly valid effort that went unpenalised despite the minor contact he made against his team colleague during the pass. That itself was a result of him touching the Red Bull driven by Verstappen ahead of him.

Piastri reacted furiously and, notably, instantly stated that Norris's position gain was “unfair”; the implication being the two teammates clashing was forbidden under McLaren’s rules of engagement and Norris ought to be told to give back the position he gained. McLaren did not do so, but it was indicative that in any cases between them, both will promptly appeal to the team to intervene on his behalf.

Squad management and impartiality under scrutiny

This is part and parcel from McLaren's commendable approach to allow their racers compete against each other and strive to be as scrupulously fair. Quite apart from tying some torturous knots in setting precedents over what constitutes fair or unfair – under these conditions, now covers misfortune, strategy and racing incidents such as in Singapore – there remains the issue regarding opinions.

Of most import to the title race, six races left, Piastri is ahead of Norris by twenty-two points, there is what each driver perceives as fair and when their opinion may diverge from the team's stance. That is when their friendly rapport between the two could eventually – turn somewhat into the iconic rivalry.

“It’s going to come a point where a few points will matter,” commented Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff post-race. “Then calculations will begin and re-calculations and I suppose the elbows are going to come out further. That's when it begins to get interesting.”

Viewer desires and title consequences

For spectators, during this dual battle, increased excitement will probably be welcomed as a track duel instead of a data-driven decision of circumstances. Not least because in Formula One the other impression from these events isn't very inspiring.

To be fair, McLaren is taking the correct decisions for their interests and it has paid off. 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 team principal they possess a moral and upright commander who truly aims to do the right thing.

Racing purity against team management

Yet having drivers competing for the title looking to the pitwall for resolutions appears unsightly. Their competition should be decided on track. Luck and destiny will play their part, 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 squad to ascertain whether intervention is needed and then cleared up later in private.

The scrutiny will increase with every occurrence it is in danger of potentially making a difference that could be critical. Already, following the team's decision their drivers swap places in Italy because Norris had endured a slow pit stop and Piastri feeling he had been hard done by regarding tactics at Hungary, where Norris triumphed, the shadow of concern of favouritism also looms.

Team perspective and upcoming tests

No one wants to witness a championship constantly disputed because it may be considered that the efforts to be fair 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 that it was an ever-evolving approach.

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

Six meetings remain. The team has minimal room for error to do their cramming, so it may be better now to simply stop analyzing and step back from the fray.