McLaren issue ‘extremely worried’ stance after Norris radio debate

McLaren team principal Andrea Stella has stated he would be “extremely worried” if Lando Norris did not argue the team order call during the Hungarian Grand Prix.

Norris moved ahead of team-mate Oscar Piastri for the lead of the race after McLaren pitted the Briton one lap earlier in a bid to cover off an undercut threat from Lewis Hamilton.

McLaren instructed Norris over the team radio to hand the position back, with the 24-year-old expressing his reluctance for several laps.

However, Norris pulled over a handful of laps prior to the chequered flag to give Piastri the lead of the race his first-ever race win.

“I don't know any race driver that when he's leading a race would be happy to say ‘oh, yeah, of course, why don't we swap back the position to the previous order’,” Stella told Sky F1.

“That's not possible, that’s not the nature of the drivers. I would be extremely worried, you would see me very concerned, if Lando would say so.

“So I think that's why we needed to recall our principles. That's why we recall the principles on Sunday morning.

“It's true that for a driver if we want to be competitive in the championship for Lando in particular that is in the strongest position, he will need the support of Oscar, he will need the support of the team. So I think that's that's how we are moving forward.”

Stella highlights McLaren 'message'

McLaren's strong result coupled with Red Bull's difficult day has seen the Woking-based team move to within 61 points of the reigning world champions in the constructors' standings.

Despite the turbulent route to victory on Sunday, Stella highlighted the teamwork culture that exists within the squad.

“There's an entire approach to racing that we have with our drivers, team and drivers,” Stella said. “We are in this trajectory together.

“None of us - the team, Lando, Oscar can go alone - that's the message that we discussed on Sunday morning. 

“With drivers, you need to refresh this message. That’s why we have this meeting every Sunday and we are extremely pleased with how our drivers are supporting the trajectory of McLaren, which is incredible. 

“For me, that's the news today, but the message is that there's a P1-2 in qualifying and a P1-2 in the race. And that’s incredible.”