P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Four-time world champion Max Verstappen literally laughed when being told about McLaren’s strategy struggles at the Italian Grand Prix.
Four-time world champion Max Verstappen chuckled when he heard about McLaren’s strategic troubles at the Italian Grand Prix, where the team’s decision-making caused controversy.
Despite Lando Norris leading ahead of championship leader Oscar Piastri, McLaren chose to pit Piastri first in an attempt to fend off Charles Leclerc’s late challenge from Ferrari.
A slow pit stop for Norris led to Piastri overtaking him through undercutting, leaving Piastri in second and an irate Norris in third.
McLaren then instructed Piastri to swap places with Norris to restore the pre-pit stop order, a move that mirrored a similar swap between the drivers at the 2024 Hungarian Grand Prix.
Verstappen’s amused reaction to the McLaren drama on team radio highlighted his disapproval of such team dynamics and strategic decisions.
