McLaren’s team boss, Andrea Stella, expressed confidence after the Italian Grand Prix that both Formula One titles could be within reach. They are considering using team orders to assist Lando Norris in his battle against Red Bull’s Max Verstappen. Despite Norris cutting Verstappen’s lead to 62 points with eight races left, McLaren is only eight points behind Red Bull in the constructors’ standings. However, Norris missed out on converting his pole position at Monza into a victory as teammate Oscar Piastri overtook him on lap one, allowing Charles Leclerc to win.
Although Piastri finished second and Norris third at Monza, the Australian is still 44 points behind his teammate. Stella mentioned that the team might review their race strategies to pursue both the constructors’ and drivers’ championships effectively. He believes that McLaren has the potential to achieve both titles with their current car performance and the struggles faced by Red Bull. Verstappen previously mentioned that both championships were not realistic for Red Bull due to his car’s performance. Stella, drawing on his experience with Michael Schumacher at Ferrari, is considering implementing team orders.
McLaren typically allows their drivers to race under the ‘Papaya Rules’ with no collisions, but Piastri’s aggressive but fair move at Monza resulted in points being taken away from Norris. Stella emphasized the importance of finding the best strategy for the team and Lando’s championship position. He acknowledged that both drivers have the mathematical potential to win the title, but Norris is currently in a better position. While considering the possibility of asking Piastri to support Norris, Stella highlighted that if swapping positions can benefit the team, they will consider it in future races.
Stella admitted that it might have seemed brutal to ask Piastri to let Norris pass at Monza but suggested that such a request might be made in the future. The team will review their strategies for upcoming races, and if swapping positions is deemed necessary, they will not hesitate to make the decision. The final races of the season will be crucial for McLaren to close the gap with Red Bull and maximize their chances of securing both championships. By carefully managing their drivers and implementing team orders strategically, McLaren aims to optimize their performance on the track.
