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lando norris and oscar piastri discuss team orders for the f1 italian gp

Norris and Piastri say Grand Prix team orders have been "discussed"

1 September at 07:36
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  • Olly Darcy
  • Editor

After McLaren and Lando Norris dominated proceedings at the Dutch Grand Prix last weekend and cut deficits in the drivers' and constructors' championships, they have the same opportunity at the Italian Grand Prix. The Brit took pole position around Monza in qualifying ahead of teammate Oscar Piastri in P2, with both papaya-coloured cars well clear of Max Verstappen's RB20 in P7. It also hands Norris the perfect opportunity to make some big inroads into a 70-point gap between himself and the Dutchman. But will McLaren use team orders to give Norris the best chance of closing that gap?

Of course, McLaren and team orders have been a big talking point in the 2024 season already after the Hungarian Grand Prix, where Piastri, who was dominating the race, was then overtaken in the second round of pitstops by his teammate Norris. Norris was then told to give the position back, which he did not do immediately, resulting in a lot of chat between the Brit and Will Joseph, his race engineer. However, with just a few laps to go, Norris slowed down to let the Australian through for his maiden F1 win, although it clouded a superb drive from Piastri.

But now, as the F1 circus arrives at the 'Temple of Speed', the talk of team orders being used by McLaren again is filling the paddock. Norris knows he needs all the help he can get if he is to cut down the 70-point gap Verstappen currently has over him with only nine races of the season left to go, but will he get that from his teammate thanks to team orders?

Team orders will be "discussed" further say both drivers

After qualifying, questions were asked about orders in the team and whether they have been discussed, to which Norris replied: "It's a little bit, it's been discussed already, but that's our Sunday morning meeting. At the minute, it's free to race like it always is."

Piastri also commented about them, echoing the comments made by his teammate: "Yeah, we've discussed it a bit already and we will discuss it again tomorrow I'm sure. Yeah, don't really have any more to add."