McLaren Justifies Norris-Piastri Team Order at Italian GP

McLaren team principal Andrea Stella has clarified the controversial team order issued to Oscar Piastri during the Italian Grand Prix, stating it was driven by "consistency with our principles" rather than mere fairness. The decision, which saw Lando Norris move ahead of Piastri, aimed to rectify a situation compounded by a slow pit stop.

Why it matters

The incident sparked debate among fans and media, highlighting the delicate balance between team strategy and driver competition. Stella's explanation offers insight into McLaren's internal values and operational philosophy.

The context

Piastri was initially pitted before Norris to cover Charles Leclerc, who had already completed his stop. Although Norris was ahead of Piastri for most of the race, a slow pit stop caused him to rejoin behind his teammate. Piastri questioned the instruction to let Norris pass, saying: "We said that a slow pit stop was part of racing, so I don’t really get what’s changed here, but if you really want me to do it, then I’ll do it."

Stella's rationale

Stella explained that the pit stop sequencing was a strategic move made for the team's interest—specifically, to protect Piastri's position from Leclerc and to await a potential red flag or safety car. He emphasized that the clear intent was not for the positions to swap. The slow pit stop for Norris, combined with the earlier pit sequence, inadvertently led to Piastri gaining track position. McLaren believed it was "absolutely the right thing to go back to the situation, pre-existing at the pit stop, and then let the guys race."

Looking ahead

Stella confirmed the team would review the incident and its principles. He stressed that "reviewing is the foundation of pursuing excellence" and does not necessarily imply a change in "papaya rules," but rather an opportunity to further align and confirm existing guidelines with both Norris and Piastri. This process aims to ensure McLaren continues to race in a manner consistent with its established values.