McLaren has officially lifted its internal repercussions against Lando Norris — a decision heavily influenced by Max Verstappen’s surging title challenge. As the championship intensifies, team principal Andrea Stella admitted that Verstappen’s rapid resurgence has forced McLaren to recalibrate priorities, shifting focus from internal penalties to a united title offensive. With Verstappen clawing back 40 points and closing in on Oscar Piastri, McLaren now finds itself in a fight that demands cohesion over discipline.
The drama stems from the aftermath of McLaren’s costly sprint race collision at the United States Grand Prix, where both Norris and Piastri were eliminated. Following an internal review, McLaren determined that Piastri could have avoided contact, nullifying earlier sanctions placed on Norris after their Singapore tangle. Stella confirmed that the team’s primary objective now is to keep both drivers laser-focused on securing McLaren’s first championship double in years — a task complicated by Verstappen’s relentless form.
In his candid remarks, Stella emphasized pragmatism over politics. “We thought the best approach moving forward was to start with a clean slate,” he explained. “Our only mission now is to stop the momentum coming from Red Bull and bring it back to the papaya side.” The Italian’s tone was clear — the time for blame had ended; unity was now the weapon of survival.
Meanwhile, McLaren CEO Zak Brown echoed Stella’s sentiments, conceding that ignoring Verstappen’s threat would be “stupid.” Brown rejected any notion of prioritizing Piastri over Norris, insisting both drivers would continue racing freely, provided mutual respect remained intact. “Max seems better than ever right now,” Brown admitted, recognizing the reigning champion’s ominous return to form. “It would be foolish not to take him seriously in this title fight.”
As the grid heads to Mexico, McLaren’s internal reset may prove either brilliant or disastrous. With Verstappen’s momentum snowballing and just five rounds left, the papaya squad walks a razor’s edge — balancing team harmony with the brutal realities of championship warfare. One wrong move, and Verstappen’s charge could turn McLaren’s dream season into a nightmare.
