Oscar Piastri has revealed that McLaren has thoroughly reviewed and clarified their racing strategy after the controversial team decision at Monza, where he was ordered to let title rival Lando Norris pass. Despite the debacle, the championship leader believes the team would make the same call again if faced with a similar situation.
During the Italian Grand Prix at Monza, a slow pit-stop for Norris caused him to drop from second to third place behind Piastri. However, McLaren soon issued instructions for their drivers to swap positions on track. Norris, who closed Piastri’s championship lead to 31 points as a result, had also pitted later than his teammate, influencing the team’s tactical decision.
Piastri accepted the order under the unique circumstances of the race and expressed confidence that McLaren will continue to prioritize the best interests of both their title contenders. “We have had good discussions as a team and clarified a lot. We understand now how we will approach racing going forward,” Piastri said ahead of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
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He emphasized that every racing scenario is different and difficult to predict. “In exactly the same scenario, I would expect the same decision to be made. But the likelihood of encountering the same exact situation again is virtually zero. I respect the team’s judgment and trust their decisions.”
Initially, Piastri’s radio message showed some frustration: “We said a slow pit-stop was part of racing, so I don’t really get what changed here.” He clarified that his comment was based on the moment’s context, which did not include awareness of all factors contributing to the decision.
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff, experienced with intense intra-team rivalries, cautioned McLaren that such a precedent might be challenging to reverse in the future. Meanwhile, Norris faced boos from some fans on the podium at Monza, reflecting the controversy surrounding the team order.
Piastri acknowledged the mixed reactions but stressed that there is no definitive right answer in these situations. “It’s a big moment and a lot of fans jump on controversies quickly. I believe we still have enough freedom to control our own destiny in the championship.”
Looking ahead, McLaren is in a dominant position, poised to secure the Formula 1 constructors' championship this weekend with a record seven races remaining. They hold a commanding 337-point lead over Ferrari.
“Last year’s title was undecided until the final race, but this year, with the car performing better and the team firing on all cylinders, there’s a strong sense that the championship is inevitable—an amazing position to be in,” Piastri concluded.