McLaren's Controversial Team Order: Was Giving P2 to Norris the Right Call?

McLaren's latest team order decision at Monza has once again ignited controversy, as Oscar Piastri was instructed to hand second place back to teammate Lando Norris after a pit stop error temporarily altered their positions.

Why it matters The incident raises critical questions about sporting fairness, team strategy, and driver hierarchy within Formula 1. While McLaren aims for consistency in its decision-making, fans and pundits are divided on whether a driver should forfeit a position gained due to external circumstances.

The incident Norris had maintained second place for most of the race. However, a bungled front tyre change during his pit stop cost him precious seconds, allowing Piastri to emerge ahead after a rapid stop of his own. Just one lap later, the order came from the Woking-based team for Piastri to cede the position.

Team's rationale Team Principal Andrea Stella explained McLaren's perspective: "We felt the right thing to do was go back to the original position and then let them race." The team viewed the pit stop mishap as a collective error rather than a genuine performance shift, justifying their decision to restore the pre-pit stop running order.

Drivers' reactions Piastri, who ultimately finished third, accepted the decision as "fair," acknowledging Norris had been ahead for the entire race, though he indicated a discussion would follow. Norris, now just 31 points behind in the standings, agreed, stating he "earned [his] right to be ahead" and stressed that neither driver wanted to benefit from a team error.

External commentary Reigning champion Max Verstappen initially questioned the move over the radio, remarking, "Ha! Just because he had a slow stop?" He later softened his stance, recognizing that "mistakes happen" and teams have the autonomy to manage their drivers.

Historical precedent This situation mirrors the Hungary 2024 Grand Prix, where Piastri similarly lost the lead due to a strategic shuffle. McLaren's consistent approach has been to prioritize returning to the "original running order," emphasizing team-managed fairness over race-day luck.

The ongoing debate McLaren's stance is clear, but the broader F1 community remains split. Was protecting Norris's second place the correct decision in the face of a team error, or should Piastri have been allowed to keep the advantage gained from his own quicker stop?