Wolff Cautions McLaren on "Difficult to Undo" Team Order Precedent

Wolff's Warning to McLaren

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has issued a warning to McLaren, suggesting their decision to reverse driver positions at the Italian Grand Prix after a slow pit stop for Lando Norris sets a "precedent that is very difficult to undo." The incident saw Oscar Piastri, who was ahead, asked to let Norris pass due to a pit stop error not of Norris's making.

Why It Matters

This decision could significantly impact McLaren's handling of their drivers, Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, as they battle for the Drivers' Championship. Wolff, who managed the intense rivalry between Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg, emphasizes the difficulty in navigating such team dynamics.

The Monza Incident

• During the Italian Grand Prix, Lando Norris suffered a slow pit stop, causing him to drop behind his teammate, Oscar Piastri.
• McLaren's pit wall then instructed Piastri to allow Norris to regain the position, a request he eventually complied with.
• Norris trimmed Piastri's championship lead to 31 points as a result.

Wolff's Perspective on Precedent

Wolff expressed intrigue about how the situation will unfold, asking, "What if the team does another mistake? Do you switch them around?" He highlighted the challenge of defining a "team mistake" and the potential for a "cascade of events or precedents" that are hard to manage.

His advice:

• "Most important is to have a clear strategy."
• "You either go like this or you go the other way around."
• "Either let them race or try to balance it in the most possible fair way."

Hamilton vs. Rosberg Reflections

Reflecting on his past with Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg, Wolff admits he would have managed the 2016 title campaign differently, allowing them to race within the spirit of not touching. However, he sees a key difference:

• "We had two different animals in the car in Lewis and Nico... They were two assassins, fierce combatants that took no prisoners, racing against each other."
• "I don't see that at McLaren," implying a less intense rivalry at McLaren.

What's Next

The true impact of McLaren's decision will become clearer as the F1 season "heats up" in its final eight rounds. The next race is the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.