Norris and Piastri back McLaren’s Italian Grand Prix team orders as ‘fair call’

In the aftermath of the 2025 Italian Grand Prix, McLaren's decision to issue team orders became a central talking point. While such directives often cause friction, both Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris provided a surprisingly unified perspective on the matter. Their comments reflected a shared understanding that, despite the difficulty, the call was a professional one rooted in the team's best interests.

Lando Norris is now 31 points behind his teammate and championship rival, Oscar Piastri | Credit: Formula One

Norris explained that the team order was an attempt to correct a problem that was not of a driver's making. He admitted that the situation was not how he wanted to win a position, saying, "I don't want to win or be second or third or like this, but it's the most fair thing." His position was compromised by a team mistake with the 5.9 seconds pit stop, not a driver's error, which he felt justified the decision.

Norris also stated that the plan was agreed upon beforehand and was based on the simple principle of fairness. He was adamant he would have done the same thing if the roles were reversed. "If it was the other way around, we'd have done exactly the same thing," he said. He concluded that while it "doesn't look the best thing," it was ultimately "the most fair" way for the team to operate.

The McLaren teammates post race | Credit: Formula One

For Piastri, the race itself was already a challenge. He explained that as a team, they "just didn't have amazing pace today" and he struggled with the car's balance early on. Despite finding his rhythm later in the race, the team order came at a crucial moment.

Piastri’s response was mature and composed. He immediately complied with the request and later stated that there were "valid reasons for swapping back." He acknowledged that his teammate had been the faster driver throughout the weekend, a key factor in the team's decision. "Lando qualified ahead, was ahead the whole race, so I get that," Piastri noted.

The shared outlook of both drivers provided a rare glimpse into a top-level team's inner workings. It was a clear demonstration that despite the rivalry, both Piastri and Norris prioritise the collective good. Their comments showed a mutual understanding and respect for a difficult decision, highlighting a mature approach to a challenging moment in the season.