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McLaren ‘Politics’ Questioned After Piastri’s Team Order Plea in Japan
McLaren’s refusal to issue team orders in the closing stages of the Japanese Grand Prix has sparked debate, with pundit James Hinchcliffe suggesting the team opted to maintain internal harmony over maximizing race results.
Oscar Piastri trailed teammate Lando Norris for much of the race at Suzuka, finishing third behind the British driver and race winner Max Verstappen. With both McLarens locked behind the Red Bull, Piastri appeared to have the pace to challenge Verstappen — but was unable to pass Norris despite sitting in DRS range for several laps.
Piastri made a subtle request over team radio, hinting at a desire for McLaren to let him through. But the team opted not to intervene, a move Hinchcliffe believes was driven more by long-term political considerations than pure strategy.
“Not swapping them told me they’re thinking about the bigger picture,” said the former IndyCar driver. “If they let Oscar through and he beats Max, that’s a 10-point swing in the drivers’ standings. It would look like they’re backing Oscar over Lando this early in the season, and that could cause issues down the road.”
Hinchcliffe added that McLaren seems willing to risk losing a few points in the Constructors’ Championship if it helps maintain balance and morale between their two drivers.
Missed Opportunity?
Suzuka was seen as a missed chance for McLaren, who arguably had the strongest car over the weekend. But with both Norris and Piastri falling short in qualifying, they were unable to convert their pace into victory.
Norris, who won the season opener in Australia, still leads the championship by a single point over Verstappen after three rounds. Piastri took victory in China, continuing McLaren’s strong start, but the intra-team battle is increasingly intense.
Verstappen Closes In
By letting their drivers race freely and potentially take points off each other McLaren may be giving Verstappen a clearer path in his quest for a fifth consecutive world title. Despite ongoing issues with the RB21, the Dutchman is maximizing every opportunity and is now firmly back in the hunt following his dominant win in Japan.
Three races, three winners, and just one point separating the top two drivers — the 2025 title fight is shaping up to be a classic, and how McLaren manages its driver dynamics could be just as important as car performance in the battles to come.
