Martin Brundle hopes that McLaren will have drivers free to race as the 2025 F1 drivers’ championship fight heats up.
In the sixth round, Oscar Piastri and Randnoris will be separated by 22 points at the top of the F1 rankings.
The pair’s rivalry is mostly citizens, and McLaren manages it to ensure that things are “fair” between the title candidates.
The Singapore Grand Prix on Sunday was the latest flash point between Norris and Piastri.
Norris overtook Piastri on the opening lap, spreading Australia slightly.
Piastri felt Norris’ movements were too aggressive and didn’t follow McLaren’s engagement rules.
The stewards did not take action and McLaren decided there was no reason to intervene.
Written in a post-race column for Sky Sports, Brandle gave his views on the incident between the McLaren duo.
“This put the piastry near Verstappen, and it forced them to attack and charge the inner line of Turn 3 to open the inner door and start Norris quickly,” writes Brundle.
“It was opportunistic and very nice from him, but on a damp surface, he kept bouncing his teammate Piastri and passing his elbows as he tagged the back of Verstappen’s Red Bull to hurt the front wing.
“Race stewards weren’t too concerned about the opening lap and no penalty was applied.”
McLaren should “publish it” to drivers
With McLaren closing out the Constructors Championship in Singapore, all attention is drawn to the driver’s championship fight.
Brandle believes it’s time for McLaren to let drivers race freely with “zero interference.”
Rand Norris and Oscar Piastri
“Piastry appealed to the team to sort it out considering the “no contact” rule, but they refused,” Brandle added.
“It would have been Team Debrie Fif after the race. There’s no doubt that the dynamics between the two McLaren drivers will change irreparably in the future. It was only a matter of time.
“Maybe McLaren has to have them put on gloves, with only two drivers revealing it.
“Nuclear fallout will be alleviated by the need for the team to finish the race, score points, avoid penalties within the FIA, avoid Verstappen catching those pairs, and run out of the latest specifications for parts focused on 2026.”