During the Italian Grand Prix’s 24th lap out of 51, a rift emerged between McLaren teammates at Monza’s opening chicane. Novice driver Piastri re-entered the track parallel to Norris, who had pitted earlier, both vying for the 10th spot at the time.
As they approached the narrow first bend, Piastri’s MCL60’s front-right side briefly made contact with Norris’s sidepod. Though the clash didn’t result in significant damage and neither driver faced penalties from race officials, it was enough to draw sharp criticism from the McLaren team principal.
Team leader Stella minced no words in expressing his disapproval, declaring the clash “intolerable.” He elaborated, “A McLaren car should never, under any circumstances, make contact with another McLaren car. The incident simply isn’t congruent with McLaren’s racing philosophy.”
Stella stressed that it’s crucial to set forth clear rules regarding what constitutes acceptable and unacceptable behavior on the racetrack. “Racing should be governed by well-defined standards, not by emotions. The well-being of the team should always be the primary concern for any driver,” he insisted.
The McLaren chief went on to say that the situation didn’t warrant immediate corrective measures. Instead, he noted the possibility that Piastri may have erred in his judgment due to being on colder, harder tires. “We’ll review the incident thoroughly but without haste,” Stella said. “These situations can be complex, especially when leaving the pit lane on harder tires. It might very well be a simple miscalculation on Piastri’s part.”
Despite the incident, Stella clarified that both drivers knew full well that contact between two McLarens is strictly taboo. “It wasn’t a matter of intent but rather one of flawed execution. And let’s be honest, we all falter in that department now and then,” he admitted.
When questioned if McLaren’s ‘undercut’ strategy for Norris had set the stage for the contact, Stella responded that even if that were the case, endangering the team for personal gain is out of the question. “If the undercut strategy pressured the drivers into risky behavior, then it’s a subject for review. The bottom line is that no strategy should lead to situations where team members compromise the team’s welfare.”
Drawing a comparison with Ferrari—whose drivers engaged in a clean, celebrated duel—Stella emphasized that his drivers were also “free to race” within given boundaries. “My job is to set the stage and define the rules of engagement. The drivers should then employ their skills to ensure they don’t cross any lines,” he concluded.
And there you have it! In the F1 soap opera that never fails to entertain, even team bosses get their fair share of airtime. How this internal McLaren drama unfolds could be as intriguing as any track battle, so buckle up! _xD83C__xDFCE_️ (Oh, sorry. No emojis, but imagine the race car sound.)
Photo Credit: Zak Mauger / F1 Flow Images
Additional Reading:
Hamilton Apologizes for Collision with Piastri: “Clearly My Mistake”
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about McLaren Norris-Piastri Clash Italian Grand Prix
What happened between Norris and Piastri at the Italian Grand Prix?
During the 24th lap of the Italian Grand Prix, McLaren teammates Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri collided at the first chicane. The incident didn’t lead to any significant damage or penalties, but it did provoke criticism from their team boss, Stella.
Why did Stella, the McLaren team boss, call the incident “intolerable”?
Stella expressed that any form of contact between two McLaren cars is unacceptable. He said such an incident contradicts McLaren’s racing philosophy, which prioritizes the team’s overall well-being over individual performance.
Was there any immediate action taken by McLaren after the incident?
No, Stella indicated that the team would review the situation calmly and did not see the need for any urgent actions. He suggested that the clash might have been a misjudgment on Piastri’s part due to colder, harder tires.
Did the incident result in any penalties or significant damages?
No, neither Norris nor Piastri faced penalties from the race officials, and there was no major damage to either car.
Was McLaren’s strategy for Norris partially responsible for the clash?
Stella acknowledged that the team’s “undercut” strategy for Norris might be reviewed, particularly if it contributed to the pressure that led to the clash. However, he emphasized that any strategy that puts the team at risk for the sake of individual drivers is not acceptable.
How does Stella compare McLaren’s racing philosophy with that of Ferrari?
Stella pointed out that, like Ferrari, McLaren’s drivers are “free to race,” but they must adhere to certain guidelines and parameters set forth by the team. These boundaries aim to ensure that the drivers don’t compromise the team’s welfare.
What does Stella suggest the drivers should have done differently?
Stella implies that the drivers should be more aware of their tire conditions and act accordingly, particularly when rejoining the track from the pits. In this specific incident, Piastri’s colder, harder tires might have made maneuvering more difficult than anticipated.
Did Stella mention any long-term changes or adjustments in McLaren’s approach due to this incident?
Stella did not explicitly mention any long-term changes but said they would “take the adjustments that we need.” The focus seems to be on a thorough but unhurried review of the situation.
What is Stella’s general stance on team dynamics in racing?
Stella’s view is that team dynamics should be governed by clear parameters that prioritize the team’s welfare. He believes the skill of the drivers should be such that they can race freely but never at the expense of the team.
Is this incident expected to have an impact on McLaren’s future races?
While Stella did not directly address the long-term implications, he emphasized the need for a calm review and potential adjustments. The incident will likely serve as a learning experience for the team and could inform future strategies and guidelines.
More about McLaren Norris-Piastri Clash Italian Grand Prix
- Official McLaren F1 Team Statement
- Italian Grand Prix 2023 Highlights
- Interview with Team Boss Stella
- Previous Incidents Involving McLaren Drivers
- F1 Racing Rules and Regulations
- Lando Norris’ Racing Profile
- Oscar Piastri’s Rookie Season Overview
- Inside the Dynamics of F1 Teams
- How Tire Choices Impact F1 Racing
- Ferrari’s Team Strategy and Race Day Success
10 comments
Man, Stella really laid it down, didn’t he? no chill from the team boss. Honestly tho, Piastri’s a rookie, cut him some slack!
I think Stella’s bringing an important point about team culture, it’s not just about fast cars but also about how you conduct yourself on the track.
This is like a real-life drama series, F1 never disappoints!
But what about Norris? Doesn’t seem like he’s getting any flak. Takes two to tango, right?
Dude, why didn’t they get a penalty tho? Seen way less get punished before…
Love how Stella just calls it like it is, no sugarcoating. That’s how you build a winning team culture, by setting clear boundaries!
If Stella wants to compare w/ Ferrari, he better make sure his own house is in order first. Just sayin.
colder hard tyres? cmon, that’s F1 Racing 101. Piastri should’ve known better.
I’m interested in seeing how this plays out in the team dynamic. Are they gonna keep letting them race freely or what?
What was Piastri even thinking rejoining like that? Couldve really messed up the race for both of em. Stella’s right, team comes first.