McLaren has already briefed Norris and Piastri on F1 Abu Dhabi GP team orders
Lando Norris currently holds the best cards in the battle for the title, 12 points ahead of second-placed Max Verstappen and 16 points clear of McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri.
"So they know what the game plan is for this weekend, and outside of our racing team you're a bit damned if you do, damned if you don't. So we're going to just stay true to our racing principles."- Zak Brown
Given McLaren's two-year-long historical stance on team orders, whether they will issue instructions that could define the championship in favour of one of its drivers, the matter has taken the spotlight once again in Abu Dhabi.
“In the sense of team orders, as long as both drivers have a chance to win the world championship, which they clearly do sitting here right now, then it's business as usual, they're free to race,” Brown said on Friday.
“Obviously we’ll be practical and realistic. If, as the weekend develops, as the race develops, it becomes clear that one has a significantly better chance than another, then we're a team that wants to win the drivers' championship, and we will race accordingly to do whatever we can to get whatever that driver is in front to try and win the race," he added.
“Our team orders have been around giving equal opportunity to win the championship, but as the race plays out, if it becomes clear that both can't, then we're going to do what's in the best interest of the team and try and win the drivers' championship,” Brown added clarifying that if it comes to a head, the team will make to qualms about exercising team orders to effect the title fight's outcome.
Referencing last year's Azerbaijan Grand Prix, where Piastri was almost mathematically out of contention for the championship, the team asked Piastri to support Norris, but highlighted that in that particular race, it was Norris who ended up supporting Piastri's bid to win the GP in Baku.
Norris and Piastri already know of McLaren's approach
“So we're going to use common sense," he added. "We're not going to throw away a drivers’ championship over a sixth and a seventh place, a third and a fourth place, a fifth and a sixth place.
“If one of our drivers doesn't have the opportunity, I think everything we do, we do with the drivers. So they know what the game plan is for this weekend, and outside of our racing team you're a bit damned if you do, damned if you don't. So we're going to just stay true to our racing principles.
"We want to win the constructors’, which we've done. We want to win the drivers’, and so we'll see how the race plays out.” Brown added.
When asked if given the command, Piastri would comply, Brown responded will full faith in his driver's decision. "Yes. Our drivers have always complied with team wishes, just as we comply with their wishes.
"So, I've got no doubt either of our drivers will continue to race as they've done brilliantly, in the best interest of the team," Brown concluded.
Three-way title fight comes to a head in Abu Dhabi: All you need to know
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