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Following McLaren's recent triumph in securing the constructors' championship at the Singapore Grand Prix, former Haas Formula 1 boss Guenther Steiner has issued a clear directive to the Woking-based team: focus their efforts on supporting Oscar Piastri for the drivers' title. Steiner's counsel comes after a race where Piastri and Lando Norris finished third and fourth respectively, cementing McLaren's team championship. With only six race weekends remaining, Piastri currently holds a 22-point lead over Norris, while Max Verstappen of Red Bull trails Norris by 41 points. Steiner emphasizes that McLaren must make a strategic decision to back one driver to maximize their chances of claiming the individual driver's crown, rather than allowing a free-for-all that could ultimately benefit a rival.

Steiner voiced his opinion on 'The Red Flags Podcast', commending McLaren's constructors' victory but expressing reservations about their driver management strategy. He suggested that the team's approach in Singapore, which saw both drivers racing without clear team orders, was not conducive to a championship campaign. Steiner believes that if McLaren is serious about securing the drivers' title, they need to abandon their 'Papaya rules' — an unwritten code that has allowed their drivers to compete directly — and instead implement a defined team hierarchy. He specifically pointed to Piastri's current points advantage as the rationale for designating him as the lead driver.

The former team principal highlighted that in championship scenarios, a team must be decisive. He asserted that in the current standings, with Piastri leading Norris, the logical step is to support Piastri. Steiner candidly stated that he would be displeased if McLaren were to lose the drivers' championship due to a lack of clear team direction. He argued that while allowing both drivers to race freely can be exciting, it introduces an element of 'calculation' rather than pure racing, potentially jeopardizing the ultimate goal. He suggested that favoring one driver, even if it leads to one unhappy driver, is preferable to having two unhappy drivers and no championship title.

McLaren's current policy has been to permit both Norris and Piastri to race openly, provided they maintain a clean fight and avoid collisions. This approach has led to several intense on-track battles throughout the season. A notable instance occurred at the recent Singapore Grand Prix, where Norris overtook Piastri on the opening lap. Piastri subsequently inquired if the team would impose orders to allow him to reclaim his position. However, McLaren chose not to intervene, a decision supported by the stewards who deemed Norris's maneuver a fair racing incident. Steiner observed that Piastri's query itself stemmed from the team's inconsistent decision-making in past racing scenarios, which has created ambiguity for the drivers.

Steiner acknowledged that Norris's move at the start of the Singapore Grand Prix was a demonstration of aggressive yet fair racing. However, he reiterated that the broader context of championship aspirations necessitates a more disciplined approach. For McLaren to truly contend for the drivers' championship, they must overcome the challenges posed by their current internal competitive dynamics. The team's dedication to allowing equal opportunity has, in Steiner's view, inadvertently complicated their championship bid, demanding a clear strategic pivot in the remaining races to consolidate points and secure the coveted individual title.

Fabio Quartararo, the 2021 MotoGP world champion, has openly shared his dissatisfaction regarding Yamaha's minimal progress with its M1 motorcycle since the Barcelona test conducted late last year. Despite an initially strong showing at the beginning of the season, which included securing three consecutive pole positions and achieving a podium finish at the Spanish Grand Prix, the team's performance has subsequently waned. Quartararo suggests that this decline is partly due to Yamaha's strategic decision to prioritize the development of a new V4-powered engine for the upcoming 2026 season, which he believes does not yet match the capabilities of the current inline-four model. In response to these challenges, Yamaha has scheduled a series of private testing sessions throughout October and November to enhance the M1's performance and prepare for future competitions.

Quartararo’s remarks highlight a critical juncture for Yamaha in MotoGP. While the team is looking ahead to a significant technological shift with the V4 engine, the immediate impact on current season performance and rider morale is evident. The champion’s public comments serve as a call to action for the manufacturer to bridge the gap between present struggles and future aspirations, ensuring that development efforts translate into competitive on-track results. The upcoming tests will be crucial in determining the direction of Yamaha’s efforts and addressing the concerns raised by its lead rider.

Quartararo's Concerns on Yamaha's M1 Development

Fabio Quartararo, the 2021 MotoGP champion, has openly expressed his disappointment regarding the stagnation in Yamaha's M1 motorcycle development since the Barcelona test at the close of the previous year. He notes that although Yamaha experienced a strong beginning to the season, securing three pole positions in a row and a podium finish at the Spanish Grand Prix, the team's competitive edge has diminished significantly in the second half of the year. Quartararo posits that this downturn is largely due to Yamaha redirecting its focus towards the creation of a new V4 engine intended for the 2026 season, which he feels currently lacks the performance potential of the existing inline-four engine. He emphasizes the need for substantial improvements to regain a competitive standing in the championship.

The French rider detailed that the most notable advancements were observed during the Barcelona test in 2024, where a new chassis provided some developmental direction. However, since then, he believes no substantial upgrades have been implemented. While there have been minor adjustments to aerodynamics and two engine revisions, the bike's top speed remains critically low. Quartararo stressed that the M1's current configuration does not permit him to contend for top-five finishes, leading him to pressure engineers for a more competitive machine in the upcoming season. Despite other Yamaha riders showing optimism for the new V4 engine during the Misano test, Quartararo maintains that the existing inline-four model still offers greater potential, acknowledging that the V4 project is in its early stages and requires extensive work to mature.

Yamaha's Future Direction and Quartararo's V4 Doubts

Yamaha's strategic pivot towards developing a V4 engine for the 2026 season has been a focal point of discussion, despite impending regulatory changes in 2027 that could impact engine design. This shift has, according to Fabio Quartararo, drawn resources and attention away from the current inline-four M1, resulting in a noticeable decline in its competitive performance in the latter half of the current season. Quartararo's candid assessment underscores a tension between long-term innovation and immediate championship ambitions. His observations suggest that while the V4 represents Yamaha's future, its present form does not yet offer the competitive advantage needed, leading to concerns about the team's short-term prospects.

Fabio Quartararo’s skepticism regarding the new V4 engine is a significant concern for Yamaha, as he remains unconvinced by its performance in early testing. Although other Yamaha riders have reported more favorable impressions of the V4 motor, Quartararo insists that its potential is still far from that of the current inline-four engine. He acknowledges that the V4 project is nascent and considerable development is still required. The team has scheduled private testing sessions in October and November, aiming to accelerate the V4’s development and enhance the M1’s overall competitiveness. These tests are crucial for Yamaha to address Quartararo’s concerns and ensure the V4 engine meets the high-performance demands of MotoGP racing, securing the team’s future success on the track.