Norris, Piastri Vow to Obey McLaren Team Orders Amidst Title Fight

Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri have publicly affirmed their commitment to obey McLaren's team orders, even as their championship battle intensifies towards the final races of the 2025 Formula 1 season. This commitment follows a contentious late-race swap at the Italian Grand Prix.

Why it matters:

McLaren's adherence to a 'team-first' culture has been tested, particularly at Monza, but the drivers' renewed commitment underscores the team's strong internal principles. Their collective pursuit of the Constructors' Championship, which they could secure with a record seven races to spare in Baku, remains paramount, even amidst a tight internal drivers' title fight.

The details:

At Monza, Norris, initially positioned for second place behind Max Verstappen, fell behind Piastri due to a slow pit stop. Piastri was subsequently instructed to let Norris pass. Despite Piastri's radio query – "We said a slow pit stop was part of racing, so I don't really get what's changed here." – he complied. This move saw Norris extend his lead in the Drivers' Championship to 31 points over his teammate.

When asked if they would perform similar swaps in the closing stages of the season, Norris stated: "Yes. Because that's what we've agreed as a team." Piastri simply added, "Yep."

The big picture:

McLaren's racing principles have faced scrutiny over the past 18 months. However, the team has consistently prioritized collective success. Four-time world champion Max Verstappen's reaction to the Monza swap ("Ha! Just because he had a slow stop?") hinted at potential disagreement, while Mercedes boss Toto Wolff suggested the true test of McLaren's decision would come later in the season.

What's next:

McLaren team principal Andrea Stella confirmed a review of these principles. Stella emphasized that this review is part of McLaren's "foundation of pursuing excellence" and doesn't necessarily indicate changes to the existing protocols, but rather a process of "further align[ment] and confirm[ation]."

The Formula 1 season continues with the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku, scheduled for September 19-21.