McLaren drivers explain their Italian GP: ‘Pace was not enough to overtake'

McLaren did not have the best of races at Monza compared to their earlier success at Spa and the Hungaroring. Both Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri were stuck behind Alexander Albon’s Williams, the two teammates made contact, then the Australian driver was out of the points after a collision with Lewis Hamilton. The two drivers gave their verdict on today’s race.

Lando Norris finished in P8 at Monza. "[It was] a good race. It was a good final, it was tough, especially behind Alex for the whole race, pretty much. The pace was strong, but just not good enough to overtake, really. I'm happy. I think we got the maximum out of today,” he explained his race to Viaplay.

Norris also expanded on his approach to overtake Alex Albon, but it was not meant to be today. "I tried a few times into turn one, into turn three, and we got close. But we needed one tenth more, and we would have done it. But we couldn't do it today. So good job by Alex. He's always good in these positions, defending for the whole race. I’m quite used to it now, but he doesn't make any mistakes. Good job by him. And I think I'm happy with our day too."

Piastri involved in two incidents

Piastri finished in P12, but he was running in P8 with Lewis Hamilton behind, until the Briton did not leave him enough room into the Roggia corners. The two drivers collided, and Piastri damaged his front wing. "The stewards gave out their verdict. Lewis apologised. There's not much more I can ask for," the McLaren driver commented on the incident to Viaplay.

Earlier in the race, after his pit stop, Piastri also made contact with his teammate Lando Norris as well. "You never want to touch as teammates. Yeah, we'll talk about it when we get back," Piastri summed up what happened when he exited the pit lane.