A particular aspect of why McLaren reversed the positions of Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris following a bungled pit stop for the Briton during Sunday's Italian Grand Prix has been laid bare.
The decision to order Piastri to allow Norris to reclaim second place after both had pitted late on to take on sets of soft tyres has since been in the spotlight and forensically analysed.
Many feel that Norris' slow stop due to an issue in changing the front-left wheel on his McLaren was simply a racing incident, and that the Briton was an innocent victim of what unfolded.
Piastri, however, has indicated that there is more at play than just him and Norris, and where they finish in a race and whatever the consequences might be for their championship aspirations.
As a result of the decision by McLaren, Piastri's lead over Norris was marginally cut from 34 points to 31. It could have extended to 37.
"If you're on opposite teams, it's very obvious that you just take the luck you get," Piastri told Sky Sports F1.
"But when you're in the same team, same pit crew, same mechanics, there's a lot at stake for not just us, but for the whole team.
"And I think the decision to swap back was fair."
Analysing Piastri's remarks, former F1 driver and Sky Sports F1 pundit Karun Chandhok can fully appreciate the circumstances that were perhaps not considered at the time.
"I thought that Oscar made a really good point about the mechanics," said Chandhok. "Because what you have to remember is, obviously, in the pit garage, you've got two cars.
"You've got mechanics on Oscar and on Lando's car, but they all come together for the pit stop, and you don't want a mechanic who normally works on Oscar's car to cost Lando a position, right?"
"That creates an internal tension and an odd dynamic within the team.
"So personally, I fully understand why McLaren did what they did, because the constructors' championship is sewn up, so they want to keep a healthy, harmonious atmosphere, even between the engineering groups and the mechanics and not just the drivers.
"Of course, you could say that's motor racing, but if I were in Andrea Stella's seat, that's exactly what I would do."
Also interesting:
Join RacingNews365's Ian Parkes, Sam Coop and Nick Golding, as they look back on the Italian Grand Prix! Max Verstappen's dominant win is a lead discussion, as is whether McLaren has set a precedent with its controversial team orders.
Rather watch the podcast? Then click here!
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