The Pit Stop Blunders That Could Rock McLaren’s Championship Hopes

Oscar Piastri’s lead in the 2025 Formula 1 Drivers’ Championship now stands at 31 points over his McLaren teammate Lando Norris. But the dramatic unfolding of events at Monza raised a storm that left fans questioning McLaren’s team dynamics. A race that should have been a straightforward fight for second place behind Max Verstappen turned into a series of pit stop blunders, radio debates, and controversial team orders. In the end, Piastri paid the price for a mistake that wasn’t his own, and the fallout from this could have far-reaching consequences for McLaren.

Verstappen’s Dominance at Monza

Before diving into the McLaren drama, it’s important to acknowledge the uncontested performance of Max Verstappen. The reigning champion was in full control of the race, showcasing once again why he remains almost untouchable in 2023. Red Bull’s strategy was impeccable, and Verstappen capitalized on it to perfection. After a year in which McLaren seemed to have found their stride, particularly with their impressive pace, Verstappen proved that, when in peak form, even the fastest McLaren cars couldn’t keep up.

On a track like Monza, where every tenth of a second matters, Verstappen’s race was a statement of dominance. He controlled the strategy, swapped to the harder tires at the right moment, and cruised to victory, finishing with a margin of more than 19 seconds. His win was more than a typical race result—it was a masterclass in control and strategy, highlighting the gap between Red Bull and the rest of the grid.

The McLaren Pit Stop Debacle

While Verstappen’s performance was near flawless, the same couldn’t be said for McLaren. What should have been a clean race between Piastri and Norris for second place quickly turned into a chaotic series of pit stops and questionable decisions. The pit stop blunders were compounded by an atmosphere of confusion and frustration that would come to define the race for McLaren.

Initially, McLaren’s strategy seemed sound. They opted to bring Piastri in first, a move designed to mitigate the pressure from Ferrari. Norris was then scheduled for a stop the following lap. However, McLaren’s execution faltered. Norris’s pit stop was agonizingly slow, taking nearly six seconds—far longer than expected for a team known for its sharpness in the pits. This costly delay handed Piastri second place on track, a position he had not earned through his own driving, but one that was gifted due to the pit stop mishap.

At that point, it seemed like a minor issue—Piastri had moved ahead of Norris, but it was just the natural flow of racing. However, McLaren’s decision to call Piastri back and order him to give the position back to Norris made things far messier. Piastri, who had already expressed his frustration with the decision, reluctantly complied. His response over the radio was sharp and direct, reminding the team that slow pit stops were just part of racing. But in the heat of the moment, team orders came into play, and the place was surrendered.

A Familiar Feeling: The Ghost of Hungary

The awkwardness of the situation wasn’t lost on many who had been following the team for a while. It had a familiar ring to it—just one year ago in Hungary, Norris had been ordered to give up a position to Piastri after a similar pit stop issue. At that time, Norris reluctantly handed over a spot to his teammate. Now, the roles were reversed. This set a troubling precedent, making McLaren appear more interested in protecting the “number one” driver rather than allowing both to race freely for positions.

Such decisions carry weight in Formula 1. While it may seem like a small issue to casual observers, moments like these often fester and build underlying tension. Piastri, a young driver who had shown considerable talent, was now forced to yield his hard-earned position due to circumstances beyond his control. While he complied without voicing anger, the disappointment in his voice was undeniable.

Verstappen’s Reaction: A Scathing Critique of McLaren

Max Verstappen’s reaction to the events after the race further amplified the problem. Having lived through his own fair share of internal team struggles at Red Bull, Verstappen was quick to dismiss McLaren’s decision. He laughed off the notion that a pit stop mistake should be corrected by swapping positions, comparing it to any other racing misfortune, such as a driver error or engine failure. His comments highlighted what many fans were already thinking: McLaren had overmanaged the situation and, in doing so, made themselves look weak.

For Verstappen, a bad pit stop is a part of racing, something that happens naturally during a race weekend. By attempting to correct a “racing incident” with team orders, McLaren had crossed into dangerous territory, adding artificial complexity to what should have been a straightforward race.

McLaren’s Defensive Stance: A Hollow Argument?

Both drivers, however, attempted to smooth over the situation in front of the media. Norris was careful in his statements, suggesting that the team had agreed on the policy beforehand and that, had the roles been reversed, Piastri would have done the same. This response was measured, attempting to maintain unity within the team and protect the overall championship ambitions. But many saw through it, recognizing that it was a hollow defense. The manner in which McLaren handled the situation only fueled the narrative that the team was protecting Norris, their “star” driver, at the expense of Piastri.

Piastri, for his part, voiced his frustration in a more subdued way. His comment about not understanding why the team had changed their stance on slow pit stops underlined the absurdity of the situation. While he didn’t outwardly display anger, it was clear that this would not be easily forgotten.

A Growing Problem: McLaren’s Internal Struggles

Nico Rosberg, a former World Champion who knows the complexities of racing with a teammate, was quick to point out that such moments require deep internal discussions. According to Rosberg, pit stops are a part of the racing “luck,” and tampering with them through team orders could set a dangerous precedent. He warned that Piastri would not let this go, no matter how composed he appeared in front of the cameras.

The irony is that McLaren had created this problem for themselves. The team’s strategy last year in Hungary, in which Norris had to surrender a position to Piastri, already opened the door to accusations of favoritism. By repeating this move at Monza, McLaren had unintentionally turned a one-off mistake into a pattern, one that fans were sure to notice and criticize.

A Missed Opportunity

The aftermath of the race should have been about McLaren’s double podium. Norris’s launch at the start, which almost saw him snatch the lead from Verstappen, was a stunning display of confidence. But instead of celebrating what was, by all accounts, a strong performance, the team found themselves embroiled in a media storm about fairness, favoritism, and internal struggles.

In hindsight, McLaren’s decision to interfere in the race and impose team orders might have been a mistake. By not letting their drivers race freely for second place, the team took away what should have been a thrilling battle. It became less about racing and more about team dynamics, overshadowing a race that could have been remembered for its on-track action.

The Broader Implications: Trust and Team Harmony

The broader implications for McLaren are significant. A team that appears to favor one driver over the other, even in the most subtle ways, risks eroding the trust between its drivers. Piastri, who has shown so much promise, could begin to lose faith in a system that doesn’t treat both drivers equally. And once trust begins to erode, it can be difficult to rebuild.

The question now is whether McLaren can salvage the situation or if this will become a recurring issue. If these internal struggles continue, the harmony that McLaren has enjoyed in recent seasons could begin to fracture. And when that happens, no amount of team orders will be able to patch up the damage.

Conclusion: The Dangers of Team Orders

Monza 2025 will not be remembered for Verstappen’s dominant victory. Instead, it will be remembered for McLaren’s awkward pit stop drama and the fallout that followed. Team orders are a necessary evil in Formula 1, but when they appear to be used for the wrong reasons, they risk causing more harm than good. McLaren may have won the battle at Monza, but the war for internal team harmony and trust has just begun.