McLaren are right not to gift F1 wins to Lando Norris in Max Verstappen title fight

McLaren have been taking pelters from all sides for their stance on helping Lando Norris win the drivers' championship.

But they won't be getting any criticism in this column. It's so refreshing to see a team resist the temptation to manufacture wins for a 'number one driver' through team orders.

Michael Schumacher was, of course, brilliant, but how many of his wins came because Ferrari favoured him? Rubens Barrichello infamously pulled over to let the German take the chequered flag on more than one occasion. Eddie Irvine even had a contract clause forcing him to let Schumacher beat him!

McLaren insist there will be no such orders between their drivers, despite Norris being in contention for the drivers' title. Boss Andrea Stella admitted they will 'bias' towards the Briton, which makes complete sense with eight races to go and silverware in sight.

READ MORE: Lando Norris voices F1 title concern after McLaren reveal 'team orders' plan

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But he explicitly said they won't tell Oscar Piastri to pull over and give up a win if Norris is behind him. Though some are saying it's a naïve plan, I can't help but applaud them for putting the spirit of competition above fake success.

It's so much more exciting for us all when there is genuine competition at the front, especially if it's between team-mates. And, like Norris said, no-one wants to win a championship only because it was given to them. If the Briton wants the title he has to work for it - and that's the way it should be.

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Drivers are right to call for a rethink on the bonkers penalty points rules.

Kevin Magnussen is absent this weekend as he serves a race ban for picking up 12 points on his FIA licence in the past year. It's great news for Briton Oliver Bearman who gets to experience a full F1 race weekend for the first time ahead of his maiden season next year.

But it's ludicrous that the Dane misses out for banging wheels with another car in an incident which caused no damage. Even Pierre Gasly, who was driving the car he hit at Monza two weeks ago, said it's an unfair punishment. Common sense is often too much to ask for, but the stewards could really have used some here.

From the archive

Lance Stroll dramatically secured his first F1 podium at the 2017 Baku race in a Williams. He's only managed two more since but will dream of many more in his future in Aston Martin cars built by Adrian Newey.

Fast fact

Charles Leclerc has qualified on pole at each of the last three Baku races, but hasn't won any of them. He will have done his confidence no favours in the first practice session of this year's event by burying the nose of his Ferrari in the wall at turn 15.

Inside track

Another rookie is edging towards the F1 grid with 19-year-old Brazilian Gabriel Bortoleto the favourite to join Audi, potentially ending Valtteri Bottas' career.