Nothing to see here, insists McLaren boss Andrea Stella as simmering driver feud threatens to overshadow team's record tenth title celebrations.

On the face of it, it was all smiles and Champagne, as the Woking outfit eclipsed Williams as the most successful British constructor in the history of the sport.

However, behind the scenes there is no doubt that the situation that has been simmering away in the background for some time is on the verge of getting out of control.

Even as Zak Brown came on the team radio to congratulate Oscar Piastri on helping secure the title, the Australian appeared to cut the American off in his prime.

"We have to put everything in perspective," said Stella in the moments after the race, aware that the situation between his drivers risked overshadowing the team's achievement in securing back-to-back titles. "It's a comment from a driver in an F1 car, there's the heat of the moment," he added.

"The information that is available is just his point of view and Lando moving on to him," he continued. "So I think, as usual, we will have a good conversation.

"We will build from there and come up stronger," he insisted. "This has been the whole process, as we said before, on building together a strong team, of which the drivers are a great foundational part."

The Italian was of course referring to the first corner incident where Lando Norris, in his determination to take the fight to George Russell and Max Verstappen, made contact with his teammate's car as he barged past, almost forcing the Australian into the wall.

"I mean, that wasn't very team-like, but sure," said the Australian in the aftermath. "Are we cool with Lando barging me out of the way, or... what's the deal there?" he asked.

While the FIA carried out an investigation of the incident, McLaren was carrying out its own. Both cleared Norris of any wrongdoing, claiming that the Briton was trying to avoid a (second) collision with Verstappen.

"That's not fair," said Piastri. "Sorry, that's not fair. If he has to avoid another car by crashing into his teammate, that's a pretty s*** job of avoiding."

After that things died down, and while the Australian closed on his teammate as the race continued his cause wasn't helped by yet another fluffed pit stop.

No doubt warned that the team didn't want its celebrations spoiled, and despite the best efforts of a media sensing that there was finally a crack in the facade, Piastri played down the situation at race end.

"We're obviously encouraged to share our views on what happened and I did that," he said. "I'm sure we'll discuss it more after."

Asked about his radio exchanges, he replied: "I think most of my comments were over two laps out of 62. I don't know if maybe it was delayed more on TV."

Even as he talked, the team was celebrating its title win on the podium, and having finished outside the top three the Australian was not initially part of the celebration.

"I need to see the incident in more detail, honestly," he said. "I think once I have the full picture of things, then yes, undoubtedly we will speak about it. I want to see exactly what happened before I make any conclusions."

Asked if he thinks the team has been fair with its drivers, the Australian replied: "I think ultimately, yes.

"There's obviously been some difficult situations for the whole team," he added. "We've obviously spoken about a number of things. Could things have been better at certain points? Yes. But ultimately it's a learning process with the whole team.

"I'm very, very happy that the intentions are very well meaning, if that makes sense. So I have absolutely no concerns about that. Obviously there's been some tough situations this year and this is another one. Are you concerned that as you get closer to the end of the season, things are so tight that those intentions should go out of the window? No, I'm not."

Meanwhile, having taken 3 points out of his teammate's lead, Norris defended his first corner move.

"Anyone on the grid would have done exactly the same thing as I did," he insisted, "so if you fault me for just going on the inside of a big gap then you should not be in Formula 1. There was nothing wrong with what I did.

"I misjudged a little bit how close I was to Max," he admitted, "but that is racing and I would have ended up ahead of Oscar anyway. I was on the inside and the last thing I want to do is to make contact with my teammate.

"With the position I am in I cannot afford to do that compared to him. I put myself at risk if that kind of thing happens. The FIA thought it was fine and the team did so too."

"We will stay in continuity with this approach," said Stella of the so-called Papaya Rules, which Norris has claimed don't even really exist. "Every race we learn a little bit, we fine-tune, but it's a matter of details.

"There will be continuity with what is the pursuit of the drivers' championship, it doesn't change the approach having won the constructors." he added.

On a day that the team made its own little bit of F1 history it should perhaps spend some time reflecting on its own, for in terms of drivers ignoring orders and focussing on self-interest, McLaren has... history.

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