In the latest Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix, McLaren’s decision to implement team orders to avoid a potential mishap turned out to be a smart move. Had they not done so, Lando Norris, a prominent player in the team, said they would have looked like “complete fools.”
The thrill of the rain-soaked season opener at Albert Park Circuit was heightened when McLaren commanded Oscar Piastri to keep his place behind Norris. This action ran counter to the consensus that the two were free to compete against each other, fuelled by a shared ambition to secure the Drivers’ title.
McLaren’s top man, Andrea Stella, explained after the race that the decision to meddle was born out of a fear of dealing with lapped cars ahead, especially with more rain on the horizon. Norris, who eventually bagged the race, was in the dark about the instruction given to his team-mate Piastri to stay in his rear.
The British racer was firm in his belief that McLaren’s decision was the right one. He pointed out the potential humiliation had a subsequent clash led to an accident. In a discussion with several media outlets, including Motorsport Week, Norris said, “I wasn’t privy to the order since it was directed at Oscar, not me. It was just a precaution for a couple of laps as we navigated through the backmarkers.”
He further elaborated on the risky conditions and the potential disaster that could have occurred if they had decided to race, potentially ending up off the track or even worse, out of the race. He emphasized, “It would have been a complete embarrassment if we had crashed when we were in a position to achieve such a great result.”
Norris dismissed any notion that McLaren was favoring him, stating that Piastri was allowed to compete against him once the situation was more conducive. “The team wasn’t focusing on me or Oscar, but on McLaren. We were leading and close second, so it would have been unwise to do anything reckless,” he clarified.
Norris was quick to dismiss any claims that the orders had prioritized him over Piastri. He stressed that from a team perspective, it was not about individual players but about the team’s overall success. He further explained, “There were many more opportunities for Oscar to race me. It would have been unwise to force a situation when we were dealing with backmarkers and blue flags.”
Norris concluded with a note on the risky nature of the race. He stated, “If you deviate from the track at that stage of the race, you’re heading straight for the wall. I was still trying to make my tires last until the 54th lap or so. Oscar was pushing a bit more to overtake me, but everything was under control from my end.”
In conclusion, McLaren’s decision to implement team orders, according to Norris, was the correct one. It was a strategic move designed not to favor any individual driver, but to prioritize the team’s success and avoid unnecessary risks.
