In the turbulent world of Formula 1, tensions continue to run high, especially as the 2025 championship approaches its climax. McLaren, the dominant force this season with twelve wins from eighteen races, is grappling with internal conflicts that threaten to undermine team harmony. In a recent statement, team principal Andrea Stella accused Max Verstappen, Red Bull’s four-time world champion, of deliberately provoking a collision between McLaren’s own drivers, Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri. This altercation during the Singapore Grand Prix not only damaged the team’s performance but also led to a wave of criticism from fans who blamed Verstappen.

The incident occurred on the opening lap of the Singapore GP, a race already fraught with tension due to the fierce title battle between Piastri and Norris. Piastri, the Australian who currently leads the championship with a 22-point advantage over Norris, started from third on the grid. Norris, his British teammate, aggressively attempted to gain a position by diving in at Turn 3. At that crucial moment, Norris hit the rear of Verstappen’s Red Bull, causing his car to spin out and inadvertently pushing him into the side of Piastri’s McLaren. Piastri sustained damage to his front wing, costing him precious seconds and throwing him back into the race. Norris ultimately finished third, behind Mercedes winner George Russell and Verstappen, while Piastri finished fourth. The final standings gap shrank by only three points, but the emotional impact was enormous.

Stella, known for his calm and analytical approach, rarely spoke so strongly in a post-race press conference. “This was no coincidence,” he said. “Verstappen’s defense was provocative and unnecessarily aggressive. He knew exactly what he was doing: by that little brush with Norris, he took our team out of the game. It created a rift between our drivers that we have been trying to avoid for months.” Stella emphasized that McLaren has always strived for a “two number one drivers” policy, where Norris and Piastri are treated equally. But this incident, combined with previous controversies such as the team orders in Monza, has called that ideal into question. In Italy, Piastri had to let Norris pass after a tragic pit stop for the Briton, a decision that Piastri had already criticized on the radio as unfair.

The consequences for McLaren were immediately felt. Piastri vented his frustration on the team radio: “That wasn’t very team-focused, but okay. Are we cool with Norris just pushing me aside?” His race engineer tried to calm him down, but the damage was done. After the race, McLaren refused to swap positions, a decision Piastri described as “unfair” and which led to speculation about favoritism in Norris’s favor. Stella defended the decision by pointing to the context: Norris was innocent because he was distracted by the contact with Verstappen. However, he admitted that the team is now experiencing “difficulties” in managing the rivalry. “We have to maintain the confidence of both drivers,” he said. “Otherwise we risk seeing our championship advantage evaporate.” McLaren comfortably leads the Constructors’ Championship, but an imploding driver battle could change that.

Fans have not spared Verstappen in their criticism. On social media, especially on platforms like X (formerly Twitter), the accusations have been raining down. “Verstappen is a dirty driver who does everything to sabotage McLaren,” tweeted one prominent F1 account with thousands of likes. Others, such as former team boss Michael Andretti, spoke out about perceived favoritism at McLaren, but mainly focused their attention on Verstappen’s role. “He is dangerous and is exploiting the delicate situation at McLaren,” said Andretti in an interview with Gazzetta dello Sport. The Dutch champion, who is struggling this season with a less competitive Red Bull and has only three wins, responded laconically. “Anyone would have made the same move as Lando,” he said of the Singapore incident. “It’s racing, not babysitting.” But his words did little to dampen the anger; many fans see him as the catalyst behind McLaren’s internal chaos.

This episode isn’t the first in a series of incidents this season. Norris already rear-ended Piastri in Canada, and Piastri was penalized in Silverstone, forcing McLaren to perform a delicate balancing act. Zak Brown, CEO of McLaren Racing, denied recent rumors of a “change” in the team dynamic. “We have two top drivers and a strong bond,” he assured. But critics point out that the pressure is mounting with six races remaining, including the crucial United States GP this weekend. If Piastri maintains his lead, he could become McLaren’s first champion since Mika Hakkinen in 1998. Norris, who has been waiting years for his big breakthrough, feels the pressure on his neck.

The broader implications for the sport are significant. Formula 1 thrives on rivalry, but internal team conflicts like this one recall the glorious yet destructive duels of yesteryear, such as the one between Prost and Senna at McLaren in 1988. Stella warned that if Verstappen continues his “provoking,” it could further disrupt paddock harmony. Fans, who support McLaren as the underdog finally challenging Red Bull, are now demanding transparency. Petitions are circulating online calling for Verstappen’s harsher punishment, and some are even calling for an FIA investigation.

Yet this crisis also presents opportunities. McLaren has demonstrated that it has the fastest car, with Norris and Piastri taking 12 wins between them. If Stella manages to reconcile the brothers – Norris called the post-race incident a “racing incident” without aggression towards Piastri – the team can clinch the title. Verstappen, meanwhile, needs to recover; his title chances are alive and well, but they depend on mistakes from his rivals. In a season full of twists and turns, Singapore has added a new chapter: the question of blame surrounding the chaos king of the grid.

With the lights out in Austin this weekend, it will become clear whether McLaren’s wounds heal or deepen. Fans are watching intently, and criticism of Verstappen is louder than ever. In Formula 1, where seconds count and alliances are fragile, a single touch can change the entire game.