McLaren team principal Andrea Stella has been forced to lay down the law to his star drivers after a tense Italian Grand Prix that saw Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri engage in a wheel-to-wheel battle that threatened the team's valuable championship points.
The Woking-based outfit found itself in the unusual position of having to issue firm team orders during the closing stages at Monza, with Stella revealing he had to explicitly tell his drivers: "No fighting. Hold positions."
Monza Tensions Boil Over
The drama unfolded as Norris, running in seventh, found himself under pressure from teammate Piastri in eighth during the final laps. The Australian rookie, showing impressive race pace, closed the gap to within DRS range, setting up a potential intra-team showdown.
Stella admitted the situation required immediate intervention: "We had to step in. We told them 'No fighting, hold positions'. The risk of losing both positions was too great when we're fighting for every championship point."
Stella Defends Controversial Call
The Italian team boss defended the decision, emphasising the bigger picture in McLaren's constructors' championship fight. "When you're in seventh and eighth, the team doesn't get anything from swapping positions," Stella explained. "We're here to maximise points, not create spectacle between our drivers."
Norris ultimately secured seventh place with Piastri following closely behind, delivering valuable points that strengthen McLaren's position in the tight midfield battle.
Rookie Versus Veteran Dynamic
The incident highlights the growing dynamic between experienced campaigner Norris and the impressively quick Piastri, who has consistently matched his more established teammate throughout his debut season.
Stella praised both drivers' professionalism in accepting the team orders but acknowledged the delicate balance required in managing two competitive drivers: "They both want to beat each other, that's what makes them great racers. But they understand the team comes first."
The Monza orders will inevitably fuel discussion about Formula 1's unwritten rules regarding teammate battles and whether teams should allow their drivers to race freely regardless of championship implications.
