Zak Brown Addresses McLaren's Monza Team Order, Praises Driver Respect

McLaren CEO Zak Brown commented on the position swap between Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris at Monza via his X profile. He emphasized "great teamwork and respect" despite championship implications for the drivers.

Why it matters

The swap saw Oscar Piastri relinquish P2 to Lando Norris after Norris suffered a slow pit stop. Piastri obeyed the team order, surrendering three valuable points in their internal championship fight where only 31 points separate them with eight races left. Brown stressed that regardless of the championship outcome, adherence to McLaren's racing values and principles is paramount.

The big picture

While the drivers' fight heats up, McLaren's dominance in the Constructors' Championship is clear. The team surpassed 600 points at Monza, now standing at 617, well ahead of Ferrari (280), Mercedes (260), and Red Bull (239). This strong team performance provides context for prioritizing team values over individual driver points in specific race situations.

What's next

McLaren will continue to push as a team, with their focus now shifting to the upcoming race in Baku.