‘Do the right thing’: The feisty exchanges between Lando Norris and McLaren revealed
Norris was ordered to concede the race lead to Piastri, allowing the Australian to claim his first win
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Your support makes all the difference.Lando Norris was involved in a series of heated radio messages with his race engineer Will Joseph in the closing stages of Sunday’s Hungarian Grand Prix.
Norris trailed McLaren team-mate Oscar Piastri following a poor getaway from pole position, but an earlier second pit-stop propelled him into the lead.
But Norris was then ordered to concede first position to Piastri, allowing the Australian to claim his first win.
Here are the feisty exchanges between Norris and the McLaren pit wall.
Piastri’s race engineer Tom Stallard: “OK, Oscar, once you get to Lando we will swap positions, but we want to avoid Lando having to give up a lot of race time.”
***
Joseph to Norris: “We need you to save more tyres please. And let Oscar through.”
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Joseph: “OK, Lando, we still think you are using the tyres too much. In Turn 4, Turn 11 and the rears at exits Turn 6, Turn 9. Oscar is 3.5 (seconds behind). I know you will do the right thing.”
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Joseph: “OK, Lando, (there are) 10 laps to go and we think both cars are using their tyres too much. Just remember every single Sunday morning meeting we have.”
Norris: “Yeah, well tell him to catch up then please.”
Joseph: “Lando, he can’t catch up. You have proved your point and it really doesn’t matter.”
Norris: “He is on much quicker tyres and (under) no pressure. I would have tried the undercut anyway.”
Joseph: “Mate we did the pit stops in this sequence for the good of the team.”
Norris: “And I am fighting for a world championship, am I not?”
Joseph: “I am trying to protect you, mate. I promise, I am trying to protect you.”
***
Joseph: “Ok, Lando there are five laps to go and the way to win a world championship is not by yourself. It is with the team and you are going to need Oscar and you are going to need the team.”
***
Joseph: “If there is a safety car, this is going to make it very awkward. Please do it now.”
Norris moves aside to let Piastri take the lead.
Norris: “You don’t need to say anything.”