Abu Dhabi Grand Prix: McLaren will ‘use common sense’ over Norris-Piastri team orders, says Zak Brown

There are a number of mathematical situations where Piastri giving up positions to Norris could prevent Verstappen taking the title.

The most obvious scenario in which this is likely to happen is if Verstappen is winning the race, Piastri is in the top three, and Norris is fourth.

If Verstappen wins, Norris needs to be third to clinch the title. In that scenario, or any other like it, it is clear that McLaren would ask Piastri to cede position to Norris.

Another would be if Norris was eighth, Verstappen was second, and Piastri was somewhere in between them.

Brown said he was sure Piastri would accept the request.

“Our drivers have always complied with team wishes just as we comply with their wishes,” Brown said. “So I have no doubt either of our drivers will continue to race as they have done brilliantly in the best interests of the team.”

On Thursday, Norris said he would not make the request himself “because I don’t think it’s necessarily a fair question”.