Brundle Criticizes Norris’ Handling of McLaren Team Orders in Hungarian GP Drama

Lando Norris reflects on his actions amid the McLaren team orders controversy. Martin Brundle shares his perspective on the dispute involving McLaren's Formula 1 team orders at the Hungarian Grand Prix.

Lando Norris received advice on what he "ought to have done" amid McLaren's team orders dispute at the F1 Hungarian Grand Prix.

Starting from pole position, Norris initially fell behind his McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri during the early stages of Sunday's race in Budapest. However, a strategic move to pit him ahead of Piastri during the last round of stops allowed Norris to overtake his teammate and take the lead.

Following a heated exchange over the team radio, Norris ultimately complied with McLaren's persistent directives to let Piastri regain the lead, which happened with three laps remaining.

In his newest post-race column for Sky Sports, Martin Brundle expressed his opinion that Norris should have returned the position sooner, allowing him more time to pass Piastri in the closing stages of the race.

"Norris, who was well ahead, hesitated to make the switch," Brundle noted. "He disregarded the team's radio instructions to reduce his speed to conserve the tires and to allow Piastri to pass. He then contended that he was in a championship battle with Verstappen and required the additional points, as he was already 47 points ahead of Piastri at the start of the day."

Lando proposed that if Oscar could close the gap, he would allow him to pass. The team's radio communications grew increasingly firm and impassioned, yet it didn't reach the point where team principal Andrea Stella had to step in with a direct order.

In Formula 1 contracts, a fundamental stipulation requires drivers to adhere to team directives at all times. This has been a persistent issue because, while drivers are hired and function as part of a team, they compete, earn points, and are evaluated on an individual basis.

Similar to Lando, I find myself torn in this situation. I once managed a driver at McLaren, interestingly, who was deceived into giving up a race win, although that wasn't what happened on Sunday. I've also witnessed numerous champions who would have secured the victory and dealt with the intense repercussions later, earning quiet respect for their ruthless determination. Ultimately, the cooperative team player side of Lando prevailed over his fiercely competitive nature.

However, McLaren has emerged as the leading team in recent races due to their robust team spirit and a composed, professional, and systematic strategy under the growingly remarkable leadership of Stella. Over the last few seasons, they have often switched their two drivers, and as they communicated to Lando via radio, achieving the championship will require everyone's efforts.

"I'm curious about how Oscar would have reacted if he had been in the opposite situation. Back in 2013, his manager, Mark Webber, was the one affected by the notorious Red Bull Multi-21 team orders during the Malaysian Grand Prix, when Sebastian Vettel disregarded both pre-race agreements and in-race directives."

"Lando ought to have allowed Oscar to pass right away when asked, and then created the best chance for himself to overtake and win that way."

McLaren achieved their first one-two finish since the 2012 Italian Grand Prix, propelling them past Ferrari in the constructors' championship to secure second place.

Norris is currently in second place in the drivers' championship, trailing Max Verstappen by 76 points. Piastri is in fifth place, 40 points behind Norris.

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