Lando Norris has defended McLaren's use of team orders at the Italian Grand Prix, insisting the team will continue to prioritise its own strategy regardless of external criticism. The British driver was handed second place by teammate Oscar Piastri after a slow pit stop dropped him behind the Australian in the closing laps.
Max Verstappen won the race for Red Bull, with Norris and Piastri finishing second and third respectively. Norris had held second for most of the race but fell behind Piastri due to a wheel gun issue during his final pit stop. McLaren ordered Piastri to let Norris through, which he did, reducing Norris's championship deficit to 31 points.
Norris, who was booed on the podium, said: 'I don't want to win this way, and the same with Oscar. But we do what we think is correct as a team no matter what people say.' He added that the decision was fair because the position loss was not his fault, stating: 'If I came flat out into my box and I hit all my mechanics I would not expect to get the position back. This was out of my control.'
Piastri expressed no regrets, saying: 'Lando was ahead the whole race. It wasn't through any fault of his own. For me, that's fine.' He noted that the drivers and team would review the situation, as the parameters had not been fully agreed in advance. Team principal Andrea Stella confirmed they would revisit their principles regarding slow pit stops.
Despite the boos, Norris remained unfazed: 'I heard them, but I don't know what I am meant to do. The cheers were louder than the boos, and that is the most important thing.'
