Performance below the expected level, author of a good race, but never dangerous to the point of thinking of beating Verstappen on the track (only a Safety Car, if questioned at the right time, could change the situation), McLaren still stood out in the Italian GP. The team, leader of the world championship ranking, gave the public an episode that absolutely deserves to be adequately analyzed in its entirety before taking the side of those who appreciate and those who do not.
Norris and Piastri fell behind Verstappen in second and third position respectively for most of the race. Six seconds behind Lando, before the Dutchman's stop, the papaya-colored team thought they hoped for an outside factor to win the GP. He therefore decided to extend the period as much as possible on mediums, hoping for a Safety Car, which however did not arrive. On lap 45° Oscar stops the delay by fitting the Softs for the last nine laps, while Lando makes the same move, but with a lap delay.
Unfortunately Norris' pit stop goes wrong, a few precious seconds are lost by screwing in the front left part and Lando finds himself returning to the track in third position behind Piastri. And it is at this moment that all enthusiasts found themselves attending an event for which it is difficult to find a yardstick. The team made a mistake, they admit it. They apologizes to Lando and asks Piastri, the world championship leader (who could have gained three more points over his rival), to let his teammate overtake him due to the mistake he made.
In Monza we witnessed a unique moment of its kind
The thing that struck us most was that the Australian didn't have to say it twice. Without tinkering too much, he slows down almost suddenly (he had a margin of 2’’) until overtaken by Lando. The duo loses a lot of time to Verstappen. Fixing the gap is no longer possible, but the two don't even go into battle with each other. Norris regains his position and Piastri finishes the race in tow as if not saying a word. No criticism, no bad mood. No misunderstanding.
If McLaren had done so by reversing roles, it could have been said that the choice had been wrong, but telling the world leader to give up the position to his main opponent was a one-of-a-kind moment.
Many things can be criticized about this decision (especially: could it or could it not have been done?) but we want to focus on the positive aspects. McLaren was exemplary. In a world that wants everything, that teaches us to have to take advantage of the moments favorable to us and try with all of us to assert ourselves without worrying too much about those around us, the house in Woking has decided to give us the opposite example.
No matter how much is at stake, no matter how people think of you. On that occasion the team made a mistake, admitted it, apologized and remedied it. What really matters is ‘family’, team, people. Andrea Stella based his victories, the rebirth of the McLaren team, on a very solid basis: trust. To the point that now the ‘values’ are its true strength.
Beating or reaching the level of a team founded on these values will not be easy for anyone.
Read in the original language (Italian): McLaren esemplare, nessuno mai era arrivato a tanto
Photo: McLaren
All the news, photos, weather, session times and times from the Italian GP 2025
