Revealed: McLaren radio during Norris-Piastri swap drama

McLaren scored just its second 1-2 finish in the last 10 years as Oscar Piastri led team-mate Lando Norris across the line in Hungary.

However, there was a mass team discussion in the final laps after a pit stop for Norris one lap before Piastri vaulted the Briton to the lead of the race.

Piastri had held the lead throughout most of the race after taking the position on the opening lap. 

Norris originally appeared opposed to the call but moved over to let Piastri by before the chequered flag, allowing the 23-year-old to secure his first race victory.

But what was said over the team radio as the McLaren team handled the situation?

Full radio transcript

Lap 51

Tom Stallard [Piastri's race engineer]: “Okay Oscar, once you get to Lando, we will swap positions but we want to avoid Lando giving up a lot of race time.”

Lap 55

Will Joseph [Norris' race engineer]: “We need you to save more tyres, please. We do want to let Oscar through.”

Lando Norris: “We should have box him first then, shouldn’t we, no?”

WJ: “It doesn’t matter.“

LN: “I mean… it does. For me maybe.”

Lap 57

WJ: Okay Lando, we still think you’re using the tyres too much: Turn 4, Turn 11 and the rears at exit Turn 6 and Turn 9. Oscar is 3.5. I know you’ll do the right thing.”

Lap 61

WJ: “Okay Lando, 10 laps to go. We think both cars are using their tyres too much. Just remember every single Sunday morning meeting we have.”

LN: “Yeah, well tell him to catch up then please.”

Lap 63

WJ: “Lando, he can’t catch you up. You have proved your point, and it really doesn’t matter.”

LN: “He’s on much quicker tyres. I mean I would had tried to undercut anyway. If I did, I would have gone.”

WJ: “Mate, we did the stop sequence in this order for the good of the team.”

Lap 64

WJ: “I tried to protect you, mate. I promise, I’m trying to protect you.”

Lap 66

WJ: “Lando, there are five laps to go. The way to win a championship is not by yourself — it’s with the team. You’re going to need Oscar, and you’re going to need the team.”

Oscar Piastri: “The longer we leave this, the riskier it gets.”

TS: “Understood Oscar, we’re managing it.”

Lap 67

WJ: “If there is a safety car now, it’s going to make this very awkward. Please do it now.”

Lap 68

LN: “Yeah, you don’t need to say anything.”