Lando’s title bid kept alive by Oscar order

LANDO Norris’ world championship bid was controversially kept alive by his McLaren team, despite a poor pit-stop at the Italian Grand Prix threatening to deal the British driver another title blow.

- By PHILIP DUNCAN

Norris had been on course to finish as runner-up to runaway winner Max Verstappen until he dropped behind title rival Oscar Piastri following a slow change of tyres with seven laps remaining.

However, Piastri was ordered by McLaren to move aside for teammate Norris, which the Australian did on the 49th lap of 53 at Monza’s Temple of Speed.

Piastri was bitterly disappointed with the decision, saying on the radio: “We said that a slow pit stop was part of racing so I don’t really get what changed here but I will do it”

Verstappen, who crossed the line a commanding 19.2 seconds clear of Norris to claim his first triumph since winning in Imola on May 18, expressed his surprise at McLaren’s move, laughing when he had been informed of the swap.

“Just because of a slow pit stop?” he chuckled when told that Norris and Piastri had traded positions, with the former reducing his teammate'’s championship advantage from 34 points to 31 heading into the concluding eight rounds.