McLaren CEO Zak Brown has briefly commented on the controversial Italian Grand Prix for the British racing team. Oscar Piastri was asked to let teammate Lando Norris pass in the final stages of the race at Monza, after the Brit re-entered the track behind the Australian due to a slow pit stop. Brown now praises the mutual respect of his two drivers.
The internal title fight at McLaren is becoming increasingly exciting as the season nears its end. Championship leader Oscar Piastri has a lead of 31 World Championship points over his teammate Lando Norris, leaving everything wide open. Yet, McLaren still adheres to the Papaya rules, which the team has been following since the start of the season.
The same ‘Papaya rules’ came under scrutiny again after the Italian GP following a notable team order from the team to Piastri. Due to a slow pit stop, Norris lost his second position in the race, behind leader Max Verstappen, to his Australian teammate. Piastri was then told over the radio that he had to let the Brit pass.
‘Respect between Lando and Oscar’
Team boss Andrea Stella defended his team’s decision immediately after the race. “We thought it was fairest to let the drivers swap places, back to the situation before that stop,” the team boss explained. CEO Zak Brown also emphasized in his brief response to the controversial race the ‘great respect’ between drivers Norris and Piastri.
“A second and third place in Monza!”, the American begins on his social media channels. “Great work from the team and respect between Lando and Oscar results in another double podium finish and valuable points. We continue as a team like this, and the focus now shifts to Baku.”
