The day after the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix, there is still much debate about McLaren’s controversial decision not to issue team orders. In the closing stages of the Italian race, Lando Norris was trailing Oscar Piastri, who was on much older tyres. McLaren decided to let the two drivers race, causing the Brit to lose valuable time in his pursuit of race leader Max Verstappen. Team boss Andrea Stella defends the decision, but Norris himself is unsure whether it was the right one.
With already five Grand Prix victories under their belt this season, McLaren was also the favourite at the start of the Emilia-Romagna GP. Especially after Oscar Piastri had secured pole position on Saturday. However, in the first corner, the Australian had already lost his leading position to Max Verstappen. The Dutchman overtook the McLaren driver at the Tamburello chicane, and then never relinquished the race lead. Piastri only saw Verstappen again at the second restart of the race, but even then, the Red Bull driver quickly pulled away.
McLaren Drivers’ Battle in the Race’s Final Stages
The McLaren drivers could only really engage in a battle with each other in the final stages of the race. The team decided to give Lando Norris the opportunity to do so by not resorting to team orders. Jacques Villeneuve, however, thought this was a bad idea. “They are essentially showing weakness,” said the former world champion to Sky F1. “They are not demonstrating the strength that Red Bull consistently shows, year after year. It’s as if they are afraid to be aggressive in an attempt to win the drivers’ championship. They are afraid to go against Piastri, which is really very strange.”
Team Boss Andrea Stella Stands by the Team’s Decision
Team boss Andrea Stella, however, stands by his team’s decision. “We were considering it,” the Italian honestly admits to the media present. “We thought that if Lando could overtake Max Verstappen, he would easily be able to pass Oscar as well, especially since Oscar was on quite old tires. We are happy with how everything turned out. Both drivers are also at peace with it, and think it was fair. That’s just how we race.” The Italian further explains that McLaren was very surprised by Verstappen’s pace and tire management.
Norris Dissatisfied?
Although Stella believes that Norris is at peace with the final decision, the Brit seems to suggest that his team missed out on a victory by letting the two drivers race. “I lose time as a result and then (Piastri) also loses time, but it’s what we have to do to compete for a championship,” said the Brit. “If you try to make someone happy, the other will be unhappy, so it is what it is.”
