McLaren's Monza Team Order for Norris Deemed Most Controversial of 2025
A fan poll has deemed McLaren's Monza team order, where Oscar Piastri ceded position to Lando Norris, as the most controversial decision of their 2025 championship-winning season.
Despite a dominant 2025 season that secured both the constructors' and drivers' titles, McLaren's management of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri remains a point of debate. A new poll confirms that the team's most controversial decision was the order for Piastri to surrender second place to Norris at the Italian Grand Prix, a move that ultimately proved pivotal in the championship battle.
Why it matters:
McLaren's insistence on driver parity, while noble, created friction and strategic questions throughout a season where Norris was locked in a tight title fight with Max Verstappen. The Monza decision, which handed Norris three crucial points, directly influenced the final standings, as he clinched the championship by a mere two points. This highlights the immense pressure and fine margins teams face when managing two championship-caliber drivers while chasing the ultimate prize.
The details:
A RacingNews365 poll of over two-thirds of respondents identified the Monza swap as the peak of the controversy surrounding McLaren's 2025 season:
- Monza Controversy (66.45%): The order for Piastri to let Norris pass for second place after their pit stops. The three points gained were critical to Norris's title win.
- Singapore Snub (16.45%): Norris was not instructed to return second place to Piastri after an opening-lap clash damaged the Australian's car.
- Silverstone Denial (9.21%): Piastri's request to swap positions back with Norris after serving a penalty was rejected by the team.
- Australian Hold (7.89%): Piastri was told to maintain his position behind Norris early in the season.
Looking Ahead:
The controversy underscores the delicate balance McLaren must strike moving forward. While their strategy delivered a championship double, the internal and external debates it sparked could influence their approach in 2026. The team will need to decide whether to continue its strict parity policy or potentially favor a lead driver earlier in a title fight to avoid similar strategic dilemmas. How they manage the dynamic between Norris and Piastri next season will be a key storyline to watch.