P1racenews AI automatic summary:
McLaren boss Andrea Stella explained the team had to wait for the right moment to swap Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris in the Formula 1 Sprint at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix.
Piastri started on pole position, with Norris behind him, but it was later revealed that a pre-arranged swap was in place. Norris expressed his discomfort about winning under team orders, and his frustration was evident during the Sprint race at Interlagos. McLaren executed the switch on Lap 22, just before a Virtual Safety Car period. The team carefully monitored the gap between the two cars to ensure the best outcome for the team. The pressure increased as Ferrari’s Leclerc and Norris’ rival Verstappen closed in on the McLarens during the Sprint race. When the situation became more uncertain due to Nico Hulkenberg’s Haas pulling up near the circuit, McLaren decided to act swiftly to secure their position. The team emphasized the importance of maximizing the result while being mindful of potential risks, especially with the threat of a safety car towards the end of the race.
