McLaren Formula 1 boss Andrea Stella says that the team will continue to review what he calls the “principles” of how team orders might be deployed.
Ahead of the Azerbaijan GP Stella confirmed that priority would be given to Lando Norris in the World Championship battle, and that Oscar Piastri would help if asked.
However a poor qualifying position for Norris left Piastri free to score a spectacular win in Baku.
In an ununsual twist Norris played his part by holding up Sergio Perez after the Mexican pitted, thus ensuring that his team mate stayed ahead of the Red Bull driver.
“I said already that we have two number one drivers effectively, and having two number one drivers means that we approach things first of all in the interest of the team,” said Stella after the Baku race.
“The interest of the team is to win the constructors’ championship, and yes, is to win also the drivers’ championship.
“Lando was in the most favourable position before this race. I think he still is in the most favourable position. So more naturally, we would have supported Lando.
“But I think we have evidence today that actually, interestingly, it was Lando supporting Oscar and enabling Oscar’s victory, thanks to driving for the team, and driving to support his teammate.
“So I think that remains our approach. We always intended to review after every event, with each driver, with the drivers together, what was going to be the best approach for the next races. We will do it, and set the plan for Singapore.”
Stella indicated that the team has to remain flexible and deal with each race situation as it arises.
“I think we lead this by principles, which is slightly different than rules,” he said. “I think with the principles, you leave yourself a space to assess every situation. But you have your guiding beacons as to what you judge is right.
“When you define rules, they become quite defining. And then you have to go through a thousand cases and see, like, what is the rule here?
“I think what’s important for me is that we did have a good conversation after Monza, because the three of us, Lando, myself and Oscar, we all agreed that entering a chicane in P1, P2 and exiting P1, P3 is just not acceptable, because it is infringing our first principle, which is the team’s interest comes first, if that makes sense.
“So we definitely tightened up in our conversations in relation to these kinds of situations. We knew that if any of the two drivers needed assistance, we would give it.
“And like I said before, it’s interesting that now it was the time for Lando to help Oscar. We will now review this race, and we will talk to the drivers, and we will define and tune the plan as we go onto the next races.”
