Schumacher โWarns McLaren‘s Lack of Team Orders Could Hand Verstappen Unexpected Championship
December 3, 2025 โ – Former Formula 1 driver โคRalfโข Schumacher believesโ Max Verstappen could still snatch the world Championship title, citing McLaren’s unusual approach to team dynamics as a potential vulnerability. Schumacher expressed concern โคthat the absence of a clear team orderโ at McLaren could โlead to a collision between Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, inadvertently gifting Verstappen โขa path to victory in the final race.
The championship battle has traditionally seen teams prioritize one driver’s chances, employing “stall orders” โคto ensure โtheir lead contender isn’t hampered by a teammate. McLaren, tho, has adopted a policy of allowing both Norrisโ and Piastri to compete freely on the โฃtrack.Schumacher contends โฃthis strategy, while fostering internal competition, carries significant risk, particularly as the season culminates.
“ifโข McLaren doesn’t โฃmanage to implement a clear team order – โpreferably after qualifying – then I almost fear that both will somehow meetโฃ onโฃ the track and Max will become World champion again, because both McLarens will be eliminated,” Schumacher stated. He suggests that the potential โfor intra-team conflict, without defined โคpriorities, could create a scenario where both McLaren drivers compromise their positions, opening the door for โVerstappen to capitalize. The final raceโฃ of the season will determine whether Schumacher’s concerns materialize and if McLaren’s unconventional approach will ultimately cost them a championship opportunity.
