Ironic moment in Azerbaijan Grand Prix: McLaren dish out team orders

F1 News

McLaren try to introduce team orders in Baku
15 September at 12:31
  • Matt Gretton
  • Editor-in-Chief

During the F1 weekend, when McLaren was expected to start helping Lando Norris in his bid for the 2024 Formula 1 World Championship, it was actually Norrs himself playing the wingman role to his teammate Oscar Piastri. The McLaren team told Norris to try and hold up Sergio Perez so that the Australian wouldn't be undercut by the Mexican. In the end, Piastri returned to the track ahead of Perez, so the plan for McLaren worked during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.

McLaren dish out team orders

On the McLaren team radio, Norris was asked if he could hold up Perez during the middle sector of the circuit. Perez couldn't find his way through, though he did make the overtake down the start/finish straight. Still, it worked for McLaren. 

The team are hoping to close the gap to Red Bull Racing in the World Championship. They are just eight points behind and could take the lead this weekend.