During the closing laps of the Italian Grand Prix at Monza on Sunday, McLaren’s decision to alter the running order of its drivers sparked significant reaction among fans, particularly regarding Lando Norris. The McLaren squad pitted Oscar Piastri before Norris, reversing their track positions despite Norris running ahead. This led to Norris being booed during the podium ceremony, a response that has sparked debate within the Formula 1 community, with many questioning the fairness of the treatment he received and the use of team orders.
Details of the Pit Stop Strategy and Position Swap
McLaren broke from usual practice by calling Piastri in first on Lap 45, even though he was behind Norris, to protect the Australian from the pursuing Charles Leclerc in fourth place. Norris followed the next lap but encountered a slow pit stop, dropping him behind Piastri once again. To resolve this, McLaren instructed Piastri to yield second place back to Norris, who complied with the team’s request. This sequence of events triggered frustration among fans, who saw the maneuver as controversial and possibly unfair to both drivers.
Impact on Driver Standings and Fan Reactions
Following this race, Piastri’s lead over Norris in the drivers’ championship narrowed to 31 points, with eight rounds still to go in the 2025 season. Despite the competitive on-track battle, Norris faced boos from spectators during the podium ceremony, reflecting dissatisfaction with the team’s decision. Former Red Bull mechanic Calum Nicholas expressed that the booing was unjust, as Norris had done nothing wrong beyond experiencing bad luck with the pit stop. Nicholas also pointed out that Piastri, who benefited from circumstances beyond his control, ultimately had to give up his position to maintain fairness.
“I feel for both McLaren drivers, but I have to say, this policy of two No.1’s was always going to suck for both of them.. Lando did absolutely nothing wrong, got unlucky with a bad pitstop (that’s racing), and then gets booed on the podium because of a decision taken on the pit wall. Feels unjust for the situation he found himself in. Oscar did absolutely nothing wrong, drove his race, and benefited from something outside of his control (that’s racing), but then has to give it up to make it ‘fair’ Fair?? This is motor racing!! Good luck, bad luck, it’s all part of it, I’ve been on both sides of it at times. I don’t like the idea of team orders to ‘sanitise’ the racing. It strips the sport of its unpredictability. I can’t think of a past world champion that would have obeyed that order in that situation, but I understand why Oscar did. There’s still a long way to go.”
—Calum Nicholas, Former Red Bull Mechanic
McLaren Leadership Defend Team’s Approach
In response to the unfolding debate, McLaren’s chief executive Zak Brown commended the cooperation and professionalism displayed by Norris and Piastri at Monza, emphasizing the team’s focus on collective success as they chase a second consecutive Constructors’ title.
“Great teamwork and respect from Lando & Oscar secures another double podium and valuable points. We keep pushing as a team, focus now on Baku.”
—Zak Brown, McLaren Chief Executive
Meanwhile, team principal Andrea Stella provided insight into McLaren’s rationale behind the pit stop sequence and subsequent position swap. He described the decisions as rooted in the team’s principles and consistent racing values, underscoring the importance of acting fairly within the team regardless of championship implications.
Stella explained that the order of pit stops — calling Oscar in before Lando — was intended to prevent a position change, focusing instead on defending against Leclerc’s threat. However, due to Norris’s slow pit stop, the positions were unintentionally reversed. The team then acted to restore the original running order, allowing the drivers to continue racing under fair conditions.
“We already have our principles in relation to that. We will review our principles in relation to that and reinforce the direction, if this is in agreement with our drivers.”
—Andrea Stella, McLaren Team Principal
Broader Implications for Formula 1 and Upcoming Races
This incident highlights the ongoing tension within Formula 1 regarding team orders and their impact on sporting integrity and fan perception. While team strategies are essential in managing championships, they sometimes clash with fans’ desire for pure competition and unpredictability. The Monza situation serves as a reminder of how critical communication and decision-making within teams can be, especially when championship battles are tight.
As McLaren prepares for upcoming races, including Baku, maintaining a balance between team strategy and driver autonomy will remain a challenge. Norris and Piastri’s relationship and performance will be closely watched, as will the team’s handling of similar situations in the remainder of the season.
