McLaren secured a second consecutive double podium finish at the Qatar Grand Prix, but that came at the cost of the team instructing the drivers not to fight in the closing stages.
Team Principal Andrea Stella gave the reasoning behind that decision and stated that Lando Norris, who was trailing Oscar Piastri, was well within his right to question the call.
“The drivers have been very close all weekend, within the space of a couple of tenths all weekend. And even in the race they were again very close. It’s a mega result for McLaren.” Stella said.
“First of all, in terms of the message you’ve heard this is part of our protocol because when we give a driver instructions, we tell them challenge us because we want to make sure we understand your point of view,”
McLaren’s resurgence in form has been phenomenal throughout the season and the orange cars are now knocking on the door for P4 in the Constructors as they trail Aston Martin by only 11 points.