Formula 1 drivers’ championship leader Oscar Piastri says McLaren has “had a lot of discussions” since the controversial ending to the Italian Grand Prix two weekends ago. 

Piastri overtook his teammate, world championship rival Lando Norris, late in the grand prix for second place after Norris had suffered a slow pit stop. 

The Australian, who could have extended his lead in the championship to 37 points, obliged to his team’s request to give second place back to Norris with a few laps remaining, in the name of fairness. 

After the race at Monza, Piastri said he and McLaren had done the right thing, but during the grand prix the Australian questioned his team over the radio.

“We said a slow pit stop was part of racing, so, I don’t really get what’s changed here,” Piastri said.

Heading into this weekend’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix, where Piastri was victorious last season, the Australian said McLaren was now much clearer on their rules for the rest of this season.

“We’ve had a lot of discussions, clarified a lot of things, and we know how we’re going to go racing going forward, which is the most important thing,” Piastri said during a press conference on Thursday.

“What’s happened is done, and I’m excited to get racing here.”

For a number of seasons, McLaren has been firm in its stance that its drivers work together for the benefit of the team. 

In 2024, Norris effectively handed victory in the Hungarian Grand Prix to Piastri after the Brit had taken the lead because of an advantageous pitting sequence. 

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Piastri’s lead in the championship is still a healthy 31 points heading into this weekend’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix.

McLaren can wrap up the constructors’ championship this weekend if they outscore Ferrari by nine points, and Mercedes and Red Bull do not outscore them by 12 and 33 points, respectively. 

It would be McLaren’s second consecutive constructors’ championship, and would be secured with seven rounds still to race.

“Clearly the car has been a step better, the team has been performing very well,” Piastri said. 

“So there’s much more of a sense of inevitability about this year, which is an amazing position to be in. It’s a testament to all the hard work from everyone at the team.”

ABC Sport will have a live blog of the F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix, from 7pm AEST on Sunday, September 21.