McLaren’s Team Strategy Creates Internal Discussion Ahead of Baku GP

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McLaren’s new team strategy in the fight for the World Championship continues to spark internal discussions, with no clear orders given to drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri. Ahead of the Baku Grand Prix, Piastri acknowledged the need for further conversations within the team, describing the current agreement as "a little bit complicated." He noted, "We still need to discuss it further."

Lando Norris is currently 62 points behind Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, making him the closest challenger. Team principal Andrea Stella has stated that McLaren will focus its support primarily on Norris as they pursue the championship. However, the team has avoided enforcing a rigid team order, with Piastri clarifying, "I won’t be pulling aside for Lando at every race. Neither of us wants to race that way."

McLaren’s decision to prioritize Norris came after the Italian Grand Prix at Monza, where Norris started from pole position. However, Piastri overtook him early in the race, allowing Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc to also pass Norris. Leclerc went on to win the race, while Norris finished third, losing out on crucial points in the championship battle.

Reflecting on the Monza race, Piastri admitted that with the new team strategy in place, the early overtake might not have happened under the same circumstances. He emphasized, though, that not every scenario can be planned in advance.

The upcoming Baku race on Sunday could further clarify McLaren's approach, as both drivers aim to balance personal ambitions with the team’s overall strategy in the World Championship fight.