McLaren CEO Zak Brown has ruled out team orders at the Formula 1 Qatar Grand Prix, despite Lando Norris only needing a two-point gain to win the title.
Following the team’s double DSQ in Las Vegas, a competitive showing around Lusail is crucial for McLaren to keep its championship aspirations on track.
Norris and team-mate Oscar Piastri were the cars to beat during practice for F1’s final Sprint Race weekend of 2025, the Australian having the advantage.
He carried this into Sprint Qualifying, bagging pole with Norris back in third, giving him the best chance of making inroads into the Briton’s 24-point margin.
Brown confirmed on Saturday evening that McLaren would not be implementing team orders despite Max Verstappen being in the mix, calling the idea “absolutely crazy”.
“Well, we kind of, we’re one race at a time right now, we have two drivers that can leave this race leading the world championship,” he told Sky Sports F1.
“So, how do you do anything other than give both drivers equal opportunity to try and lead the championship?
“If we get into Abu Dhabi and we get into a situation where one can’t make it happen, then of course we’ll ask one driver to help the other.
“But while we have two guys that can go into Abu Dhabi as championship leaders, it’s absolutely crazy to do anything other than let them race in Qatar.”
McLaren ‘talk about everything’
Brown also praised his team, highlighting McLaren’s open environment and push for transparency when difficult conversations are required.
“We talk about everything,” he said.
“And I think that’s one of the reasons why we have such a great working relationship with our drivers, Andrea [Stella], myself, and the whole team, is we just talk about topics. We don’t hide from them.
“We don’t pretend they don’t, you know, when the elephant comes in the room, we talk about the elephant. And I’m not sure where that phrase came from. I hope that doesn’t offend elephants in today’s world.
“And so, yeah, we talk about it and we’re not shy and we’re straight talking. And, you know, it’s pretty, it’s not pretty clear. It’s very clear.
“We’ve got two guys that can win this championship, so we’re not going to do anything differently until the situation’s different.”
READ MORE – Oscar Piastri takes pole for F1 Qatar GP Sprint, Max Verstappen down in sixth
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