Lando Norris Addresses McLaren's 'Mistake' After Pit Stop Controversy at Italian GP

Why it matters: Lando Norris has openly discussed the slow pit stop at the Italian Grand Prix that led to uncomfortable team orders and affected his race outcome. His candid comments highlight internal team challenges and the relentless pressure of F1 racing.

The details: Norris initially held second place for much of the race, even leading briefly after Max Verstappen pitted. However, his own pit stop was hampered by a wheel gun issue, causing a significant delay and dropping him behind teammate Oscar Piastri. McLaren subsequently issued team orders for Piastri to cede the position back to Norris, allowing Norris to reclaim second place.

Norris's comments: "I felt like I was there for quite a long time," Norris stated regarding his pit stop. "I guess every now and then, we make mistakes as a team. So today was one of them." He added, "I did everything I could today. I tried to fight against Max, but he had a good race, and he came out on top, and they deserved it."

The big picture: Despite his efforts, Norris admitted McLaren simply lacked the pace to challenge Red Bull. "We just did not have the speed today, not the pace of Max and the Red Bull," he concluded, acknowledging it was one of the first weekends where McLaren felt significantly slower.