Piastri Reflects on Team Orders at Australian Grand Prix

ALBERT PARK, Australia — McLaren driver Oscar Piastri expressed his thoughts on the team orders issued during the Australian Grand Prix on March 16, 2025. During the race, race engineers instructed both Piastri and teammate Lando Norris to ‘hold position’ shortly after pre-season comments suggested McLaren would allow their drivers to race freely.

This unexpected directive raised eyebrows among fans and commentators, and Piastri admitted it caused some confusion during the race. In post-race discussions, he sought to clarify the team’s rationale behind the orders. “We’ve had some good discussions through the week about what we could have done better and things we could have done differently,” Piastri said.

CEO Zak Brown had previously stated McLaren would not implement team orders to establish a hierarchy among drivers. However, during the race, Piastri was informed to hold his position behind Norris as they approached backmarkers in tricky conditions. Despite feeling faster than his teammate, Piastri complied with the order.

After the race, Andrea Stella, McLaren’s team principal, explained that the hold position instruction was temporary and intended as a precaution while navigating traffic. “The drivers were aware when we gave the team order to hold positions, and then they were aware when we told them to be free to race,” he said.

Piastri’s situation took a turn when he made an error shortly after being cleared to race. The Australian driver noted that the initial team directive may have hindered his performance. He reflected on the challenging conditions, stating, “We were approaching backmarkers, one dry line, not knowing if there’s going to be rain to come.”

Despite the confusion, Piastri remains optimistic about his discussions with McLaren. “I think today’s race and the circumstances were pretty extreme,” he said, emphasizing his intent to gain clarity from the team regarding their decisions.

Norris, who won the race amid the chaos, downplayed the impact of the team orders, emphasizing that they were meant to protect both drivers’ positions while dealing with difficult conditions. “It was just for two or three laps, just as we went through the back markers,” he said. “We’d look like complete idiots if we attempted to race and we both ended up off the track.”

Ultimately, Piastri finished ninth, falling short of a potential podium at his home race. “I think by the time we were free to race, it kind of killed my front left a little bit getting to the back of Lando,” he stated. As the season progresses, team dynamics will be crucial for both McLaren drivers, with early signs indicating a competitive championship battle ahead.