**Toto Wolff Advises McLaren: Time for Team Orders to Back Lando Norris in F1 Title Race**

Toto Wolff suggests that McLaren should prioritize Lando Norris through team orders

Mercedes chief comments on McLaren's internal strategies

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has hinted that McLaren may need to consider enforcing team orders as the F1 championship battle nears its end.

McLaren seemed well-positioned to take advantage of Red Bull’s Max Verstappen's subpar performance during the Italian Grand Prix weekend by securing the top two spots on the grid. However, pole-sitter Lando Norris dropped from first to third place on 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 by Ferrari's Charles Leclerc at the next turn.

Norris secured a third-place finish, trailing Piastri and Leclerc. This performance reduced Verstappen’s lead in the drivers’ championship to 62 points, as the Dutchman managed only a sixth-place finish, with eight races left in the season.

"In my opinion, when a racing team finds itself fighting at the front, they face a difficult situation," Wolff explained when questioned about his reaction to McLaren letting their drivers compete against each other. "On one hand, they are racers just like us."

“Our goal is to ensure the most deserving individual prevails, but when the situation turns counterproductive and affects the team's effectiveness, what steps do you take in response?”

The team often finds itself at a disadvantage because when you set fixed positions and impose team orders, it might not align with the spirit of racing we aim for, but the logical approach must take precedence.

"In the end, no one wants to miss winning a championship by just three or five points that were within reach. Balancing this challenge is incredibly tough, and there's no one-size-fits-all approach to managing it."

Wolff suggested that McLaren's team leader Andrea Stella might need to reassess their 'Papaya Rules' and consider stepping back from his "racer's mentality" strategy.

Toto Wolff commented, "Andrea Stella and Zak Brown have an unparalleled understanding of the sport. Andrea, in particular, has witnessed everything unfold numerous times during his tenure at Ferrari."

"He possesses the spirit of a true racer who prefers to let the competition unfold naturally, but I believe they will reach a decision on how to manage this situation after the race."

"At this point, we began implementing guidelines for engagement, later adjusting the terminology to 'racing intent' since 'rules' seemed too strict for the drivers."

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