McLaren radio messages are putting Lando Norris in an impossible position as he fights Oscar Piastri

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McLaren have maintained harmony in their F1 team for the first 20 races of the season even though Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri have been battling for the title. That is a commendable achievement from senior management.

It’s a testament to the culture that Zak Brown and Andrea Stella have created, but also to the attitude of Norris and Piastri. The drivers, who are now separated by just one point, have totally bought into the collective ethic at Woking.

There have been moments of tension, most notably when Norris bumped past Piastri in Singapore, but the two drivers haven’t criticised one another, or the team, in the media. Any issues they have had have been kept internal, with very few damaging leaks, if any.

However, it’s only going to get harder in the next month or so. The drivers may have to choose between prioritising their championship chances and the team’s fortunes.

Lando Norris let Oscar Piastri pit first at Monza

Many in the F1 paddock have suggested that McLaren are favouring Norris, and much of that talk was triggered by the Italian GP. Piastri had to let his teammate through after a slow pit stop for car number four.

McLaren felt this was only fair because Norris (net P2) had allowed Piastri (net P3) to pit first in order to cover off the threat of Charles Leclerc. Based on the Briton’s radio, this was a pre-planned measure.

• READ MORE: Jacques Villeneuve says the F1 media treat Lando Norris unfairly compared to Oscar Piastri

“Did you want to box the other car first?” he asked, before adding: “Well, only if he doesn’t undercut, otherwise I’ll box first.”

When Piastri ended up leapfrogging the sister car, Tom Stallard told him: “This is a bit like Hungary last year. We pitted you first for team reasons. Please let Lando past, then you’re free to race.”

In Singapore, Lando Norris wouldn’t give Oscar Piastri the first stop

At the following round, McLaren found themselves in a similar situation. Leclerc had once again made an earlier stop, putting Piastri (net P4) under threat.

Norris, who was one place ahead, was once again asked if he’d give up his right to the first stop. This time, he refused.

“Are you willing to let Oscar pit a lap before you?” Will Joseph asked.

Norris replied: “Yep. Err, no. I wouldn’t.”

Piastri finished fourth nonetheless, while Norris narrowly lost out to Max Verstappen in the battle for second.

McLaren urged Lando Norris to ‘help the other side’ in Mexico

Last time out in Mexico, with Norris cruising to victory, Joseph made a different request. He wanted guidance on tyre choice, again to help Piastri.

“Lando, to help the other side: how much do you prefer the soft tyre over the medium?” he asked. “A little bit or a lot?”

Norris played ball, answering: “I mean it doesn’t feel too bad now, but I still think the soft.”

The race leader would have been within his rights to refuse. Particularly with the constructors’ title in the bag, he wants Piastri to finish as far down the order as possible.

But McLaren are putting him in an impossible position. If he offers assistance, then he’s handing his biggest rival a clear competitive advantage.

If he doesn’t, then it will be seen as selfish, as if he’s no longer playing the team game. That would open the driver up to criticism, rather than those on the pit wall.

McLaren need to recognise what’s at stake for their drivers. From now until the end of the season, they must make firm strategy calls themselves and allow Norris and Piastri to focus solely on their race, confident that they know the rules of engagement.