McLaren’s standout driver, Lando Norris, addressed criticism for his perceived lack of teamwork during the Sprint at the Qatar Grand Prix. Despite leading the 19-lap event with authority, Norris eased off in the final corner, allowing his teammate Oscar Piastri to secure the Sprint victory. This strategic move highlighted Norris’s focus on team priorities over individual accolades.
The incident drew comparisons to Michael Schumacher’s actions at the 2002 United States Grand Prix, where he allowed his Ferrari teammate Rubens Barrichello to win by a mere 0.011 seconds after dominating the race. That decision was seen as a way to compensate Barrichello for an earlier controversial team order at the Austrian Grand Prix, where he had been instructed to yield the lead.
In the 2024 Formula 1 season, Norris and Piastri have been evenly matched, with fierce competition between the two drivers. However, with the Drivers’ Championship already decided, Norris has shifted his focus to supporting McLaren’s push in the Constructors’ Championship. By prioritizing team strategy, Norris is working to help McLaren fend off challenges from Ferrari in the battle for overall standings.
The debate about Norris’s decision has sparked mixed reactions. Some see it as a masterstroke of team strategy, while others argue it was a missed opportunity for personal glory. The move underscores the importance of teamwork in securing long-term goals, especially in a competitive constructors’ race where every point matters.