ABU DHABI: McLaren boss Zak Brown on Friday confirmed his team will exercise team orders to secure the drivers’ title in Sunday’s decisive season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix if it becomes clear during the race that only one remains a contender.
Lando Norris leads the championship but is only 12 points ahead of Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, while the second McLaren driver Oscar Piastri is a further four points off the lead.
Speaking to reporters at a team chiefs’ news conference at the Yas Marina Circuit following opening practice, Brown stressed that the team will “use common sense” and abandon their ‘papaya rules,’ guaranteeing total equality and freedom to race.