Lando Norris hits back at team order 'precedent' claim: 'Pretty stupid to assume'

Lando Norris has stated it is “stupid to assume” McLaren has set a precedent of implementing team orders when something goes wrong for one of its drivers.

Norris dropped behind Piastri late on at the Italian Grand Prix following his slow pit stop, which occurred amid a problem with one of the mechanic's wheel gun.

Piastri, who had pitted before Norris, gained second place on the road as a result of Norris' slow stop and looked on course to extend his championship advantage once again.

However, McLaren opted to intervene and requested that Piastri give the position back to Norris before declaring they were free to race.

While Norris and Piastri are fighting for their first F1 title, both have highlighted their desire to put the interests of the team first before their own.

As the final third of the season approaches, Norris insisted that no two incidents which require McLaren to carry out team orders are the same.

“Every situation is different, so it’s pretty stupid just to assume that kind of thing and say that’s the precedent you set” Norris told media including RacingNews365. 

“We’re not idiots and we have plans for different things.

“If there were four cars in between me and Oscar, of course he’s not going to let me back past, and I don’t think it’s correct that he let me back past. 

“But in a situation where we weren’t racing, in a situation where we can just be fair, then you’d expect to be fair, as a team. 

“They don’t want to be the reason to upset one driver or another through no fault of their own, you know.”

Lando Norris defends McLaren team order

Having been released back into second place following the pit stop mishap, it ensured that Norris slightly closed the gap to Piastri in the championship battle.

Piastri now holds a 31-point lead over his team-mate ahead of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in two weeks' time.

The decision to carry out team orders has divided fans - but Norris suggested it was the fairest outcome when the mistake was out of his control.

“Today was not my fault,” Norris highlighted. 

“If I came flat-out into my box and I hit all my mechanics out the way, I also don’t expect to get the position back, but today was out of my control.

“In the end, I don’t want to win this way through getting given positions or anything like that. And the same thing with Oscar—we don’t want to lose or win like that.

“But we do what we think is correct as a team, no matter what you say or what your opinions are, and we stick to doing it our way.”