The controversy around Lando Norris Italian GP team orders intensified after the McLaren drivers, Norris and Oscar Piastri, swapped positions during the Monza race. Former Formula 1 champion Nico Rosberg expressed his frustration with the team’s decision and shared how he might have reacted if placed in Piastri’s situation.
Before the Italian Grand Prix, Oscar Piastri had extended his championship lead to 34 points following a mechanical issue for Norris at the Dutch GP. Despite this, Norris was quicker throughout the Monza weekend and expected to finish higher than Piastri over the 53-lap race. However, a slow pit stop dropped Norris behind Piastri early on, prompting McLaren to instruct Piastri to cede the position back to Norris. The directive stirred debate within the paddock regarding the fairness and appropriateness of team orders, prompting Rosberg to weigh in.
Addressing the controversy on Sky Sports F1, Rosberg commented on the delicate nature of such team commands:
“I would have pulled the radio plug, and told them after the race: ‘Sorry, I didn’t hear you guys!'” — Nico Rosberg, Former F1 Champion
“In actual fact, the first step is: is it clearly defined in the rules? And I can tell you that it’s not defined in the papaya rules, because it’s not something that you can put down in a rule. It’s so hard because where is the cutoff point to that.” — Nico Rosberg, Former F1 Champion
In the final stages of the race, Piastri complied with the team order, allowing Norris to reclaim second place and narrow his championship gap to 31 points behind the 24-year-old Australian.
Lando Norris on the Status of Team Protocols Within McLaren
The concept of “papaya rules,” referencing McLaren’s team guidelines, has generated significant interest since last season, especially as Norris and Piastri remain close in the championship standings. These informal rules have influenced the dynamics between the teammates, often sparking conversations on sporting fairness and team strategy.
After the Italian GP, Norris denied the existence of formal team rules during a media session, offering insight into the current environment driving decisions between the two drivers. He said,
“There are no papaya rules anymore. We’ve never had them. Yes. It’s not even a page long, actually. And this covers many things, fairness for me and for Oscar. I don’t choose that these things happen. We don’t care what’s happened in the past, but we do what we think is right for us.” — Lando Norris, McLaren Driver
Looking ahead, the Formula 1 championship will continue as the teams prepare for the next race at the Baku street circuit in Azerbaijan, scheduled from September 19 to 21. As the season progresses, how McLaren manages the rivalry between Norris and Piastri remains a key storyline to watch.
