Brundle Weighs In: Norris Advised on Team Orders Tactic Amidst McLaren’s Hungarian GP Controversy

Lando Norris discussed his actions during the dispute over McLaren's team orders.

Martin Brundle shares his perspective on the contentious issue of team orders at McLaren during the Hungarian Grand Prix.

Lando Norris received advice on what his actions "ought to have been" amidst the controversy over team orders at the F1 Hungarian Grand Prix involving McLaren.

Starting from pole position, Norris initially lost ground to his McLaren colleague, Oscar Piastri, in the early stages of Sunday's Budapest race. However, opting to bring him into the pits before Piastri during the last series of pit stops allowed Norris to gain the advantage and overtake Piastri, securing the lead.

Following a series of intense exchanges via the team radio, Norris ultimately complied with McLaren's persistent directives to let Piastri overtake him and reclaim the lead position with just three laps remaining.

In his most recent column for Sky Sports following the race, Martin Brundle expressed his opinion that Norris should have conceded his position sooner, allowing him more opportunity to pass Piastri towards the race's conclusion.

"Norris, who was ahead comfortably, started to resist making the change," Brundle noted. "He disregarded instructions over the radio to decrease his speed to save the tires and to allow Piastri to pass. He then started to contend that he was in a battle for the championship with Verstappen, hence requiring the additional points, especially since he was already 47 points ahead of Piastri at the start of the race day.

Lando proposed that if Oscar managed to close the gap, he would allow him to pass. The communications over the team's radio grew increasingly urgent and forceful, yet they never reached the point where team principal Andrea Stella needed to step in with an explicit command.

A fundamental provision in all Formula 1 agreements stipulates adherence to team orders without exception. This has historically been a contentious issue because, although drivers are hired and compete under a team's banner, they individually participate in races, accumulate points, and are evaluated on a personal basis.

"Similar to Lando, I find myself in a dilemma. Interestingly, I once guided a driver at McLaren who was tricked into giving up a win, although that wasn't the situation this past Sunday. I've witnessed several champions who could have clinched the race and then dealt with the significant backlash later, secretly earning respect from many for their fierce determination. In Lando's case, the obedient team member persona took precedence over the aggressive, competitive spirit he harbored."

"McLaren has emerged as the dominant force in recent races, thanks to their exceptional teamwork and a composed, systematic strategy spearheaded by the ever-impressive Stella. They've often changed the positions of their drivers over the last few seasons, underlining to Lando through a radio message that teamwork is essential for championship success."

I'm curious about how Oscar would have reacted had the situation been flipped. His boss, Mark Webber, found himself at the center of the notorious Red Bull Multi-21 controversy during the 2013 Malaysia Grand Prix, when Sebastian Vettel disregarded prior arrangements and directives given during the race.

"Lando ought to have yielded to Oscar right away upon his request, thereby affording himself the greatest chance to pass him later on, if possible, in an attempt to secure the win by such means."

McLaren has surged past Ferrari in the constructors' standings to secure second position, marking their first top-two finish since the 2012 Italian Grand Prix.

Norris continues to hold the second position in the championship rankings, trailing Max Verstappen by 76 points, while Piastri is 40 points behind him, sitting in fifth place.

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