McLaren avoids team orders talk as Lando Norris won't ask Oscar Piastri to help F1 title fight

McLaren has not discussed any team orders ahead of Formula 1's title crescendo at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix - and current championship leader Lando Norris says that he won't ask for them to help his cause.

The championship is finely poised ahead of the 2025 season closer, with Norris 12 points clear of Max Verstappen and 16 points clear of team-mate Oscar Piastri; thus, McLaren has the added complication of managing both drivers through a title showdown.

McLaren's key management figures Zak Brown and Andrea Stella have maintained that both drivers would be allowed to fight for the title as long as they remain mathematically in contention. However, among the various permutations of the Abu Dhabi race, McLaren could make a call if Verstappen leads and Norris is out of the podium positions.

However, both drivers have revealed that a team orders discussion has not been on the table - and Norris stated that the decision rests with Piastri should such a situation emerge.

"No, not been discussed. And honestly, I mean, I would love it. But I don't think I would ask it," Norris stated. "It's up to Oscar if he would allow it. I don't think it's necessarily down to me.

Lando Norris, McLaren, Oscar Piastri, McLaren, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing

Photo by: Sam Bagnall / Sutton Images via Getty Images

"It's the same for the other way around - would I be willing to or not? Personally, I think I would [be accepting of team orders], just because I feel like I'm always like that and that's just how I am. But it's not really up to me and I'm not going to ask it.

"I don't want to ask [for] it because I don't think it's necessarily a fair question. At the same time, if that's how it ends and Max wins, then, well, that's it - congrats to him and I look forward to next year.

"It doesn't change anything. It doesn't change my life. So he will deserve it over us."

Piastri concurred, and stated that he was waiting for McLaren to clarify any team orders situations before he had any thoughts about that scenario.

Norris would win the title if he finishes on the podium, while Piastri either needs to win and have Norris finish lower than fifth, or finish second with Verstappen lower than third and Norris lower than ninth.

"It's not something we've discussed," Piastri confirmed. "Until I know what's kind of expected, I don't really have an answer until I know what's expected of me."

Piastri added: "I've been on the opposite side of the championship battle in the junior categories and I know what that felt like, and it was pretty tough. Coming into it from the least to lose out of us three is quite different for me.

"I think off the back of Qatar, I've got a lot of confidence that I can perform well. Obviously I need a fair few things to happen this weekend to come out champion, but I'll just make sure I'm in the place in the right time and see what happens."