Managing Team Orders in Formula 1: A Look at McLaren’s Strategy

In the world of Formula 1, team orders are a topic that stirs controversy. Even among teams that choose to implement them, it remains an awkward conversation. Despite being officially banned between 2002 and 2010, instances like Ferrari race engineer Rob Smedley’s infamous “Fernando is faster than you” to Felipe Massa during the German Grand Prix serve as reminders of the discomfort these orders can cause.

The Evolution of Team Orders in Formula 1

With the advent of transparency, team orders are no longer cloaked in coded language. However, they remain a delicate issue due to the intense competition that permeates every aspect of this sport. Money and technology play significant roles, making it crucial for teams to achieve the results necessary for survival. Yet, these teams are staffed by individuals who are competitive at their very core.

At grand old McLaren, a team known for allowing Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost to compete fiercely, team orders continue to be a topic of discussion, one that the squad is not particularly fond of discussing. However, embraces this situation by pairing Lando Norris with Oscar Piastri, two incredibly talented drivers who are remarkably closely matched.

The 2023 Season and McLaren’s Team Orders Strategy

As the new season kicked off, McLaren was faced with questions about its team orders plan, framed as a ‘rules of engagement’ discussion. Team principal Andrea Stella reiterated that their approach is based on racing principles used in the previous season. Norris and Piastri both emphasized the importance of handling these situations correctly.

In the first race of the new campaign, held in Piastri’s home country, McLaren‘s theoretical team orders discussion became a reality. On lap 29, Piastri was instructed to hold his position, allowing Norris to clear backmarkers and make the transition. This order significantly impacted the race, with Piastri ultimately unable to catch up to Norris despite his best efforts.

Piastri’s Response and McLaren’s Approach

Post-race, Piastri accepted what had happened, acknowledging the extreme circumstances of the race. He indicated that he would speak with the team to better understand their thinking process. The timing of the order was crucial in Piastri’s acceptance, although his understated radio responses suggested displeasure.

McLaren‘s approach to team orders prioritizes the team’s success first and foremost. Once that is secured, the drivers are free to compete for their personal glory. As the 2023 season progresses, Piastri will need to ensure he leads the MCL39 as much as possible to secure favorable team orders in the future.

McLaren has expressed confidence in Piastri’s abilities, praising his mental strength. Stella believes that Piastri will quickly bounce back and achieve significant results in China. Despite the awkwardness of team orders, ‘s actions in Melbourne were necessary to secure what it needed at that stage.

As the season unfolds, McLaren will face challenges in getting subsequent calls right. If the season develops like 2024, with one driver battling for the title and the other still mathematically in play, things could get tricky again. However, if 2025 becomes a two-horse race, will simply need to prioritize its constructors’ needs before trusting its drivers not to crash. With the MCL39 looking promising so far, this process should become easier.

This topic will undoubtedly continue to be a focus for McLaren. However, given that it aligns with what the squad and its drivers were saying before and after the race, ‘s first team orders episode of 2023 should be viewed as a success, not a saga.