Team Orders Dilemma: Toto Wolff Urges McLaren to Back Lando Norris Amidst F1 Title Contest

Toto Wolff suggests McLaren prioritize Lando Norris with team orders

Mercedes chief weighs in on the McLaren team orders discussion

Mercedes chief Toto Wolff has indicated that McLaren now faces a tough decision regarding the use of team orders as the F1 championship battle nears its end.

McLaren seemed set to take full advantage of Max Verstappen's subpar weekend at the Italian Grand Prix, securing the top two spots on the starting grid. However, Lando Norris, who claimed pole position, slipped from first to third place during the opening lap following a tussle with his teammate Oscar Piastri.

Piastri overtook his teammate with a bold maneuver on the outside of the Della Roggia chicane. Shortly after, Norris was overtaken again, this time by Ferrari's Charles Leclerc at the next turn.

Norris secured third place, trailing Piastri and Leclerc, and managed to reduce Verstappen's lead in the drivers' championship to 62 points, with eight races left, as the Dutchman finished in sixth position.

Toto Wolff commented on McLaren's decision to let their drivers compete freely, stating, "As a team that is suddenly contending at the front, McLaren faces a difficult situation. On one hand, their drivers are racers just like we are."

“Our goal is to ensure the most deserving individual succeeds, but when the situation becomes chaotic and begins to negatively affect the team's performance, how should we respond?”

"The team often ends up losing because when you lock in positions and enforce team orders, it might go against the core spirit of racing. However, logical decision-making must take priority."

Ultimately, you don't want to miss out on winning a championship by a narrow margin of three or five points that you could have gained. Balancing that fine line is extremely challenging, and there's no single right way to approach it.

Wolff suggested that McLaren team boss Andrea Stella might need to reassess their ‘Papaya Rules’ and consider shifting from his “racers’ soul” strategy.

"There is no one who comprehends sports better than Andrea Stella and Zak Brown," Wolff remarked. "Andrea has witnessed everything unfold firsthand numerous times during his tenure at Ferrari."

"He has the spirit of a true racer who prefers to let them compete freely, but I believe they will reach a decision after this race… What is our approach to this situation?"

"This was the point where we began outlining the guidelines for engagement and later modified the term to 'racing intent' because the word 'rules' seemed too strict for the drivers."

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