Wurz warns McLaren: "It could still become extremely precarious"

(Motorsport-Total.com) - The seat swap between Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris at the Italian Grand Prix continues to occupy the Formula 1 world weeks later. While McLaren defends its decision , former Formula 1 driver and ORF expert Alexander Wurz is sharply critical.

In his view, the team has set a risky precedent that could have far-reaching consequences for the relationship between its drivers.

Wurz alludes to a hypothetical scenario on ORF : "An example, fast forward, we're in Qatar. There's a pit stop, and someone loses six-tenths due to a mishap."

"After that, both come back onto the track in parallel. What do they do then? If the 'wrong' driver is in front, that's the problem. That's why I wouldn't have swapped places like that in Monza."

The Austrian recalls that McLaren itself has repeatedly emphasized that incidents such as a failed pit stop or a tire puncture are considered bad luck - a risk that the respective driver has to live with.

"Now they've done it the other way around," Wurz said. "And I think that could become extremely precarious."

According to Wurz, team principal Andrea Stella reacted rather angrily to criticism from experts and TV commentators. He emphasized in private circles that the "big picture" had to be kept in mind. Fundamentally, McLaren's philosophy remains to let its two drivers race freely against each other.

But for Wurz, that's precisely the crux of the matter. "It's okay, he's the boss, he has to take responsibility. But I'm concerned that such situations can escalate – and then you can no longer control it from the pit wall."

In the past, there have been repeated cases where small decisions have led to simmering conflict within a team.

"I hope for McLaren's sake that this remains peaceful in the end, and that the drivers shake hands again after a tough duel," Wurz continued. "But honestly, I doubt it. At some point, the elbows and knives will come out when the world championship title is on the line. That's precisely why this change in Monza surprised me."

Whether McLaren's decision has laid the foundation for future tensions between Norris and Piastri could become clear in the coming races - at the latest when every single team decision counts in a close World Championship battle.