McLaren Boss Explains Controversial Italian GP Team Order for 'Bigger Result'

The conclusion of the Italian Grand Prix saw McLaren implement a team order, requesting its drivers swap positions following a slow pit stop for Lando Norris. This move, despite criticism, was explained by team principal Andrea Stella as a strategic decision aimed at achieving a 'bigger result'.

Why it matters

The team order, which saw Oscar Piastri initially ahead of Lando Norris after Norris's problematic pit stop, sparked debate among fans and pundits. Andrea Stella, McLaren Team Principal, clarified that the strategy was not merely about individual positions but about maximizing the team's overall potential in a dynamic race scenario.

The context

During the Italian Grand Prix, both Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri were running in strong positions (second and third). McLaren opted for an unconventional pit strategy: holding onto medium tires for longer, anticipating late-race red flags or safety cars. The plan was to switch to soft tires in the final laps, hoping for an advantage against Max Verstappen, who was leading.

The incident

Norris, being the higher-placed driver, initially deferred his pit stop. However, Piastri's subsequent stop was clean, while Norris encountered a critical issue with a wheel gun on his left-front tire, causing him to rejoin the track behind Piastri. The team then instructed the drivers to swap positions. Although Piastri initially seemed hesitant, he complied. Both drivers later reaffirmed their commitment to the team.

Stella's explanation

Andrea Stella detailed the rationale behind the decision:

• Pursuing a bigger result: The team aimed to position itself strongly for potential late-race red flags or safety cars, which could have put both McLarens in a leading position, potentially challenging Verstappen on different tire compounds.
• Undercut power: Stella noted that even with Norris's slow pit stop, a strong undercut on new soft tires could have recovered much of the lost time.
• Comparison to Hungarian GP: Stella drew a parallel to the 2024 Hungarian Grand Prix, explaining that a simpler strategy (like covering Charles Leclerc) might have limited the overall outcome.
• Late soft tire strategy: The strategy allowed them to switch to soft tires late, which would have been advantageous had a safety car emerged with Verstappen on hard tires.

What's next

McLaren will review the pit stop data to learn from the issue. The team remains focused on maximizing results, even if it involves unpopular strategic calls.