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Lando Norris

Lando Norris issues McLaren admission after 'mistake' controversy

A slow pit stop for Lando Norris caused drama towards the end of the Italian Grand Prix, who regained second place following a McLaren team order to title rival Oscar Piastri.

Norris pit stop Monza
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To news overview © XPBimages

Lando Norris has addressed the slow McLaren pit stop that forced the team to initiate uncomfortable team orders towards the end of the Italian Grand Prix.

Norris ran in second place for much of the race but gained the lead late on when Max Verstappen pitted for fresh tyres.

As they navigated their own stops, McLaren brought Piastri in first, who was served in a slick 1.9-second pit stop.

Norris was called into the pits on the following lap, but a wheel gun issue saw him stationary in his box for several seconds before he was released back onto the track, albeit behind Piastri.

Piastri was ordered to hand the place back to Norris and regained second place, allowing the Briton to take a three-point bite out of Piastri's championship lead.

Addressing the slow pit stop, Norris said: “I felt like I was there for quite a long time.

“I guess every now and then, we make mistakes as a team. So today was one of them.

“I did everything I could today. I tried to fight against Max, but he had a good race, and he came out on top, and they deserved it. 

“So nothing more. Second was our best result, and I just need to keep doing what I'm doing.”

At the very start of the race, Norris was locked in battle with Verstappen for the lead and ran onto grass as they approached the opening corner.

Having missed out in the end by almost 20 seconds, Norris acknowledged McLaren simply didn't have an answer for Red Bull.

“I tried to keep it even on the braking into Turn 1, but I always know it's going to be a good fight with Max.

“It was still enjoyable, but we just [did] not [have] the speed today, not the pace of Max and the Red Bull. 

“So a tricky one, one of the first few weekends where we're just a bit slower.”

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RESULTS 2025 F1 Italian Grand Prix - Monza