Max Verstappen on McLaren’s pit stop controversy: “Better not to say anything” | F1 Italian GP. Max Verstappen laughed off McLaren’s controversial team orders at Monza.

A telling laugh on live TV

The long “papaya rules” book at McLaren gained yet another chapter during the Italian Grand Prix at Monza. Lando Norris suffered a slow pit stop and rejoined the track behind his teammate Oscar Piastri. The McLaren pit wall then asked the Australian to give back the position, effectively cancelling out the mechanic’s mistake. Piastri obeyed, letting Norris through without resistance.

Max Verstappen, who went on to dominate the race, reacted over the radio with a laugh during the incident. Later, in the post-race press conference, the four-time world champion carefully avoided any political traps. “I know you journalists want me to say something funny about it, but it’s not my problem. These are not issues that concern me, and it’s better if I don’t talk about it,” he said at the end of the Italian Grand Prix weekend in Monza.

Max Verstappen: “A slow pit stop is part of racing”

Speaking to Via Play, Max Verstappen expanded slightly on his view, making clear that he was surprised by McLaren’s decision. “A slow pit stop is something that can happen in racing, just like a technical issue or a driver error,” he explained. From the Dutch driver’s perspective, McLaren’s intervention in favor of Norris may have been excessive, especially considering such situations are normally left to play out on track.