A performance below expectations, a good race but never truly threatening enough to consider beating Verstappen on track (only a Safety Car, if deployed at the right moment, could have changed the situation), McLaren nevertheless stood out at the Italian Grand Prix. The team, leader of the Constructors’ Championship, delivered a moment that absolutely deserves to be analyzed in full before taking sides between those who appreciate it and those who do not.
For most of the race, Norris and Piastri ran behind Verstappen in second and third positions, respectively. With Lando six seconds behind before Verstappen’s pit stop, the papaya-colored team realized they would need to rely on an external factor to win the GP. They decided to extend the stint on the medium tires as long as possible, hoping for a Safety Car, which never appeared. On lap 45, Oscar made the decision to switch to the soft tires for the final nine laps, while Lando did the same move, but one lap later.
Unfortunately, Norris’s pit stop went wrong, losing several precious seconds while fitting the front left tire, and Lando rejoined the track in third position behind Piastri. It was at this moment that all fans witnessed an event difficult to compare with anything else. The team had made a mistake, admitted it, apologized to Lando, and asked Piastri, the championship leader (who could have gained three more points over his rival), to let his teammate pass due to the error.
A unique moment at Monza
What impressed most was that the Australian did not hesitate. Without any delay, he slowed almost instantly (he had a 2-second gap) to let Lando pass. The duo lost a lot of time to Verstappen. Closing the gap was no longer possible, yet the two did not battle each other. Norris regained his position, and Piastri finished the race quietly behind, without a word. No criticism, no resentment, no misunderstanding.
If McLaren had done this with the roles reversed, it could have been interpreted as a strategic move with some malice, but asking the championship leader to give up his position to his main rival was a truly unique moment.
Many aspects of this decision can be criticized (especially: could it have been done or not?), but we want to focus on the positive. McLaren was exemplary. In a world that wants everything, that teaches us to take advantage of favorable moments and push forward without worrying about those around us, the Woking team chose to set the opposite example.
It doesn’t matter what’s at stake, it doesn’t matter what people might think of you. In that circumstance, the team made a mistake, admitted it, apologized, and remedied it. The ‘family,’ the team, the people, are what truly matter. Andrea Stella has built his victories, the rebirth of McLaren, on a very solid foundation: trust. To the point that now ‘values’ are the team’s real strength.
Reaching or surpassing the level of a team built on these cornerstones will not be easy for anyone.
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