Lando Norris says the criticism that followed McLaren’s team orders at Monza is “not our problem,” while Oscar Piastri admits he’s unsurprised by the reaction because “fans jump on controversy.” The team swapped positions late in the Italian Grand Prix to restore Norris ahead of Piastri after a slow stop had jumbled their usual strategy sequence.
Piastri initially queried the call on the radio — noting that slow pit stops are part of racing — but complied shortly after. Post‑race, McLaren explained there were additional factors at play, including the threat of an undercut from rivals, and both drivers have since reiterated they are aligned with the principle of fair, pre‑agreed sequencing.
‘We’ll keep doing things our way’
Norris, who has grown accustomed to the glare of title‑fight scrutiny, was blunt: negativity is inevitable, media narratives will swirl, and the team will stay focused on maximising results for both cars. The British driver also pointed out that such interventions have been rare — highlighting last year’s Hungarian GP as a comparable case — and that clarity inside the garage remains strong.
Piastri, leading the championship, echoed the sentiment: strong internal communication and a shared playbook matter more than social media noise. McLaren leaves Monza with both cars on the podium behind the winner — proof, it argues, that the call delivered the best outcome for the team.
