Article by Tudor Belivaca – published on Sunday, September 7, 2025, 20:28 / Updated Sunday, September 7, 20:29
The head of the McLaren team, Andrea Stella, defended the team's decision to change the positions of Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris after stops at the speakers, when the British wasted time and second place.
Piastri changed in round 46, and Norris later. The British had a slow exchange of 5.9 seconds, and lost its position. Then, in the 49 McLaren round he intervened with team orders. He was asked to let Norris pass and later sent him that he can fight with him for the 2nd place, given that the two are fighting for the world title. Verstappen laughed at McLaren Harababura during the race through a radio message: “Ha! Because he had a slow exchange?” Andrea Stella explained the bizarre decision.
Andrea Stella on the controversial decision of McLaren to Monza: “This decision was necessary”
“This was definitely a team decision. This decision was necessary because of the boxing problem, but also because of the order in which I called the pilots. We wanted to keep their positions after stops at the speakers, but you saw that Lando remained behind Oscar. We decided to bring them to their initial positions.
I want to thank Oscar for not making us difficult to implement this decision at all. Again, Oscar and Lando have shown that they have principles and that they share our values. ”
We have two extraordinary pilots, both can fight for the world title and compete in the McLaren style – we do what we think is correct and sporty. This is what I did today, “said Andrea Stella, according to Sportal.bg.
Oscar Piastri was not disturbed to give up the position: “I think it was correct”
Oscar Piastri, the pilot who at this time in the world title race, was not disturbed by the orders received from the team.
I cannot say that I am happy, but not very disappointed – said the leader of the ranking in Formula 1. – It is clear that today, as a team, we did not have the pace to fight with Max (no verstappen).
In the first half I had problems with the balance of the car. Then, when the medium-pain tires were worn out, things improved. But at one point we had to stop at the speakers. I do not think that today we had many missed opportunities, we had no pace, yesterday we did not do well in qualifications.
Lando was in front of me throughout the race and I have no problem with this team's decision. But we will definitely discuss what happened. We are a single team, a single group, the same mechanics, the stake is very high, for both us and the team. I think today the decision to change the positions with Lando was correct.
– Oscar Piastri After the Grand Prize of Italy in Monza
