McLaren's team principal, Andrea Stella, expressed confidence that both Formula One championships are within reach following the Italian Grand Prix. He hinted at the potential use of team orders to aid Lando Norris in his pursuit of Red Bull's Max Verstappen. Norris reduced Verstappen's lead to 62 points with eight races, including sprints, left, while McLaren trails Red Bull by just eight points in the constructors' standings. Had Norris secured victory from pole at Monza, he would have significantly narrowed Verstappen's lead, but Australian teammate Oscar Piastri overtook him on the first lap, allowing Ferrari's Charles Leclerc to win. Piastri finished second with Norris in third, though he remains 44 points behind Norris.
Stella informed the media that the team would reassess their strategies to optimize their approach to both the constructors' and drivers' championships. He emphasized the team's capability to compete for both titles, given their current performance and some challenges faced by Red Bull. Stella highlighted the need to position both the team and Norris to vie for both championships. Verstappen had previously stated that winning both titles was currently unrealistic for Red Bull due to issues with his car.
Stella's experience includes working with Michael Schumacher at Ferrari, where team orders were frequently employed. McLaren typically adheres to the 'Papaya Rules', which discourage collisions, but Piastri's aggressive but fair move affected Norris's points. Stella aims to see both McLarens often on the front row, ensuring decisions are in the team's and Norris's best interests. He acknowledged Norris's stronger numerical position and the team's focus on challenging Verstappen.
Stella noted that asking Piastri to yield the lead to Norris might have seemed harsh but could be considered in future races. He stated that the team would analyze these scenarios and implement changes if deemed necessary for upcoming races.
