Piastri Questions McLaren’s Team Orders in Australian GP
McLaren’s handling of team orders during the 2025 Australian Grand Prix has sparked debate, with Oscar Piastri questioning a “hold position” directive as he chased teammate Lando Norris. This marked a departure from McLaren’s previous stance of allowing their drivers to race freely.
The order came on lap 29 as both drivers prepared to lap Haas’ Oliver Bearman and Esteban Ocon. Despite clearing them, McLaren maintained the hold order, prompting Piastri to ask if he was now free to race. He was told to continue holding position. Moments later, he made an error at Turn 6, and the order was lifted—but by then, he had fallen out of DRS range.
McLaren CEO Zak Brown insisted they were free to race but admitted feeling relieved when Piastri’s mistake naturally created a gap. The situation intensified as rain threatened, and after a Safety Car period triggered by Fernando Alonso’s crash, Piastri’s race unraveled further when he spun in wet conditions.
The timing of McLaren’s team orders has raised questions. Would they have reinstated the directive had Piastri closed in again? Was the “hold” strategy a one-time call or a precedent for future races? As McLaren finds itself with a competitive car capable of winning, balancing driver rivalry with strategic team decisions could prove crucial.
Later races will reveal whether McLaren’s new approach continues or if they return to letting Norris and Piastri fight freely on track.
