The Italian Grand Prix proved challenging for McLaren as Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris struggled to match Max Verstappen‘s pace. The Dutch driver set a record for the fastest F1 win ever at Monza, leaving McLaren behind. During the race, McLaren issued team orders that sparked debate, instructing Piastri to relinquish position to Norris after a pit stop error affected the latter. Following the race, Piastri indicated that the team will need to discuss the incident further.
At Monza, Norris was running in second place, with Piastri close behind in third. After pit stops, a mistake during Norris’s stop caused him to drop behind his teammate. The McLaren pitwall then directed Piastri to allow Norris to pass, seeming to support Norris’s push in the title battle. Initially, Piastri was hesitant to give up his position, emphasizing that he was not responsible for Norris’s slow pit stop. Despite his reservations, the Australian complied, aiding Norris to finish second and reduce his championship deficit to 31 points.
Oscar Piastri Reflects on Team Orders and Upcoming Discussions
Oscar Piastri accepted that the team order was fair under the circumstances but implied that there remain unresolved issues to address. He suggested that the team must clarify how to handle similar race situations going forward. As the focus shifts towards the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Piastri stressed the importance of moving ahead.
“In terms of the call to swap, ultimately, it was fair. We have things to discuss, as we always do with these sorts of racing situations. It’s now time to refocus ahead of Baku.” —Oscar Piastri, as quoted by RacingNews365
Despite some initial reluctance, Piastri has taken a firm stance on the McLaren team orders during the Italian GP. He acknowledged the decision to let Norris pass as “ultimately” fair, signaling his professionalism amid the controversy.
McLaren’s Performance and Areas for Improvement Highlighted by Piastri
Monza’s unique layout, featuring long straights and tight chicanes, exposed weaknesses in McLaren’s car, making it impossible for Piastri and Norris to seriously challenge Verstappen. While McLaren has been a strong contender throughout the 2025 season, the Italian GP highlighted performance gaps on high-speed tracks.
Piastri noted that improvements are necessary not only for the remainder of this season but also in preparation for similar low-downforce circuits next year. The Australian insists the team must learn from the Monza experience to avoid repeating these deficiencies.
“It’s inherently quite a unique track, so there are some things that we can improve on for next year and other low-downforce tracks later in 2025.” —Oscar Piastri
Potential Implications of Internal Team Dynamics Ahead of Azerbaijan GP
The events at the Italian GP could heighten tensions within McLaren, as the team navigates how to balance individual drivers’ interests with overall team strategy. The incident between Piastri and Norris underlines the delicate nature of enforcing team orders in a competitive title fight. Managing these dynamics effectively will be crucial as the season progresses to the Azerbaijan GP.
McLaren’s inability to contend at Monza poses questions about their capability on certain circuits, adding pressure on the team to deliver upgrades or strategy adjustments. How they address internal communication and racing protocols following the Italian GP may influence performance and driver morale going forward.
