After the Italian Grand Prix, McLaren was criticised: even if it had missed out on victory, the team could have managed the situation better, changed drivers and given Lando Norris three extra points in the title fight with Max Verstappen.
Equality has reigned at McLaren throughout the past few seasons, but not once during that time has the team been in contention for the championship. And in the afternoon in the Monza paddock, team leader Andrea Stella admitted that the time had come to set priorities and give the best chances to the driver who has the best chance of winning.
The decision, although late, is logical. Although, of course, it will have consequences.
How was the Italian Grand Prix?
How did he do it?! Leclerc and Ferrari stole victory from McLaren
How much has already been lost
The Monza race is not yet the most striking example of equality between drivers. On the Hungarian leg, when Norris failed on his next pole position and let Piastri pass, the team insisted that the Australian remain in the lead at the finish line. This was the 13th leg of the season, and before the start Lando was trailing Verstappen by 84 points, Oscar by 131.
Even then, Piastri’s chances existed only on paper – no one really believed in the Australian’s ability to challenge for the title this year, then or now. At the time, however, it was hard to imagine such a steep drop in Red Bull’s speed, and the gap to Norris seemed insurmountable. And if so, why take away a well-deserved win (the first in his career!) from a young driver and create unnecessary friction in the team?
Lando Norris congratulates Oscar Piastri on his victory in Hungary
Photo: Mark Thompson/Getty Images
Even in Budapest, there was talk in the paddock that this decision would come back to haunt McLaren if Norris lost the championship by less than seven points. At the same time, in Monza, Woking’s reluctance to prioritise, according to some scenarios, cost Lando not three, but many more points.
If the team had agreed before the start that Piastri would not prevent Norris from winning and Oscar would not have attacked Rog, he could have slowed down Ferrari and helped Lando to escape. In this case, the Briton himself would probably have avoided tyre problems and would have gained a sufficient lead to counterattack his opponents, who stopped once.
Beating Oscar Piastri in “Rog”
Photo: Lars Baron/Getty Images
Had Norris won in Hungary and Italy, he would be behind Verstappen not by 62 points, but by 45, and in such a situation his chances of winning the title would have looked preferable. Moreover, if it were not for the missed victory in Monza, McLaren would already be leading the Constructors’ Championship.
However, even with the current gap, Verstappen’s position is clearly under threat, although he is still considered the favourite for the season. However, if Red Bull does not fix the problems with the car and the reigning champion cannot even fight for the podium, these 62 points will not save him. On the other hand, Norris should stop making mistakes – after all, the issue of team tactics became relevant because Lando could not stay ahead of his young teammate.
It wasn’t Lando’s best weekend:
Norris and Russell frustrated, Leclerc back on top. Italian Grand Prix results
What’s happening with Oscar Piastri?
The team’s decision to push the young driver into a supporting role may strike some as unfair, but those in the paddock are rightly warning: there can only be one chance to challenge for the title, there is no guarantee that next year’s car will be as good, and therefore every opportunity needs to be taken.
The choice of team is even clearer when looking at the qualifying duel: in his second season in Formula 1, Piastri loses to Norris by 3:13. This year, Oscar lost the pace more than once at the end of the segment and even on the day of his first victory he fell behind his teammate at the finish of the race. If Lando had let the Australian pass immediately instead of arguing on the radio, he would almost certainly have been able to get ahead of him later.
Oscar Piastri
Photo: Clive Rose/Getty Images
In a way, Piastri’s decision on McLaren is even beneficial. At Spa and Monza he was ahead of Norris and if he is now forced to help his teammate, he will surely remember this in Woking when he renews his contract. And he will absolutely demand the same preferences if he is serious about aiming for the championship in the 2026 season.
At the same time, it cannot be ruled out that Piastri does not want to follow the team’s rules at all. McLaren recently spent almost the entire race literally begging Norris to obey the order, so why should Oscar be more accommodating? It is unlikely that in the event of an order, Piastri would experience sentimental feelings, especially against the background of the ease with which he once left Alpin for McLaren.
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