McLaren heads into Azerbaijan Grand Prix on verge of F1 constructors’ title

The Formula 1 title race is heating up, and McLaren’s golden rule — “Let ‘em race” — risks expanding into a whole rule book.
Asking Oscar Piastri to give up second place to Lando Norris at the Italian Grand Prix because of a slow pit stop showed how McLaren’s seemingly simple approach risks being bogged down in debates about what’s fair on track.
The battle between Norris and Piastri will become McLaren’s sole focus if the team can wrap up the constructors’ title Sunday at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku with a record seven races remaining.
McLaren leads by 337 points and takes the title if one driver wins and the other is second or third, which would end the faint mathematical chances of Ferrari, Mercedes and Red Bull.
It’s a big contrast to last year, when McLaren held off Ferrari in the final race of the season to win the constructors’ title for the first time in 26 years. “It’s a pretty remarkable position that we’re in,” Piastri said.

“A very proud moment for everybody and myself included.”
McLaren ‘aligned’ on its rules
Was swapping the cars in Italy the best way for McLaren to make up for a team mistake beyond Norris’ control? Or was Piastri punished for something that’s “just part of racing,” as he suggested over the radio?
The Monza decision has prompted yet more discussion at McLaren about the best way to race.
“We’ve again had a lot of discussions about how we want to go racing and a lot of that is to stay for us,” Piastri said, adding that giving away the details could allow rival teams to exploit McLaren’s approach. “I do think we have enough freedom to control our own destiny in the championship.”
That call left Piastri with a lead of 31 points, instead of 37.