Danner calls McLaren's decision regarding Monza 'borderline ridiculous.'

      "That's a fantastic way to mock your rival."

       11 September 2025 - 11:45

      

      Former Formula 1 racer Christian Danner has added his voice to the critics of McLaren’s contentious management of the Oscar Piastri-Lando Norris exchange at Monza. Max Verstappen, who won the Italian GP with ease, was heard laughing over the team radio as McLaren directed Piastri to allow Norris to pass after the Brit experienced a slow pit stop.

      Speaking to AvD Motorsport Magazin, Danner expressed that Verstappen’s laughter was entirely justified. "It’s completely understandable for Max to laugh so hard," remarked the 67-year-old German. "If I were in his position, I would have acted the same way and conveyed it as well. "Because that’s an excellent means to mock your opponent."

      Danner explicitly stated his disagreement with McLaren’s 'papaya rules' strategy in the 2025 title race. "It’s quite uncommon for a Formula 1 team to manipulate drivers like puppets under the pretense of fairness," he elaborated. "Looking back, I believe McLaren wouldn’t manage one or two situations the same way now. But the entire sequence was such that, personally, I find it bordering on absurd."

      The former Zakspeed and Rial driver suggested that the true breaking point might only arise when Piastri decides he can no longer tolerate the situation. Danner’s remarks come on the heels of comments from former F1 chief Bernie Ecclestone, who mentioned to Blick this week that he suspects McLaren would prefer to see Norris rather than Piastri become world champion. "I’m sure there’s some internal conversation going on," Danner noted. "It’s entirely normal for tensions to simmer, and actions like those at Monza heighten the pressure. "Eventually, the pressure in McLaren’s boiler will escalate to an explosive level. At some point, Piastri’s frustration will also reach a boiling point."