Damon Hill gives his verdict on McLaren team orders as Oscar Piastri obeys Lando Norris request

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McLaren’s double podium at the Italian Grand Prix was overshadowed by a strategic error in the closing stages of the race, which prompted team orders from the pit wall.

Lando Norris was in second place and had extended his first stint once it became apparent that catching race leader Max Verstappen would be impossible.

McLaren were hopeful of a late Safety Car, but when none came, they asked Norris if he would switch priority in the pit stops to help prevent teammate Oscar Piastri from being potentially undercut by Charles Leclerc.

Ferrari had pitted Leclerc first out of the leaders, and he managed to close the gap to the McLaren driver on fresher tyres while the Australian stayed out with Piastri.

Norris obliged and let Piastri pit first, but when it came to the Briton’s stop, the front left wheel was slow coming off, and it cost him position to the Australian. McLaren rectified the situation on track with team orders, despite Piastri noting that slow pit stops were acknowledged as “part of racing” within the team.

Damon Hill has issued his response to the team orders on Instagram Stories, and responded to what Piastri said to the media when speaking post-race.

Damon Hill believes McLaren has ‘sorted’ any potential tension from Monza team orders

McLaren’s team orders are the latest scenario this season that has blindsided the team, with engineer Tom Stallard comparing it to what happened in Hungary last year.

Piastri was quick to diffuse the situation when speaking to the media, believing that the decision to swap the cars was “fair” but added that he wanted to discuss it internally.

Karun Chandhok thinks Piastri did well to avoid any unwanted attention, especially as mechanics from each side of the driver’s garage will service the cars during pit stops.

Hill, who has been part of controversial team orders in F1 before, issued his response on Instagram: “Well there you go then, sorted.”

Damon Hill reacts to Max Verstappen breaking all-time F1 record

Verstappen’s victory harked back to the days when Red Bull would dominate races on Sunday, with the Dutchman breaking an all-time lap record during qualifying.

His pace in the race would see Verstappen produce the fastest F1 race of all time at one hour, 13 minutes, and 23 seconds – around a minute faster than the previous record that was set in 2003.

Hill also reacted to Verstappen’s record-breaking weekend, adding: “It had to be him. He is literally the fastest.”

It was Verstappen’s third win of the season and second in Italy this year, after he also won the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix.