McLaren’s recent decision to call team orders for Lando Norris at the 2024 Hungarian Grand Prix caused quite a stir among fans. However, this is far from the first time Formula 1 teams have found themselves in hot water over team orders.
In 1998, McLaren had an interesting team pact during the Australian Grand Prix. Mika Hakkinen led the race with David Coulthard close behind. Despite a pit stop mix-up that briefly handed the lead to Coulthard, he was instructed to let Hakkinen pass, ensuring a win for the Finn. This caused uproar as fans felt cheated out of a genuine race spectacle.
Similarly, at the 1998 Belgian Grand Prix, Damon Hill found himself leading amid chaos. With his teammate Ralf Schumacher closing in, Hill urged team principal Eddie Jordan to avoid internal competition to secure a one-two finish for the team. Jordan eventually agreed, much to the younger Schumacher’s displeasure.
Fast forward to 2002, Ferrari’s infamous decision at the Austrian Grand Prix led to team orders being banned. Rubens Barrichello, who led most of the race, was instructed to let Michael Schumacher pass in the final moments. The backlash was intense, with fans booing Schumacher on the podium despite his attempt to share the spotlight with Barrichello.
Even after the ban, team orders didn’t disappear. In 2010, Ferrari used a not-so-subtle message to Felipe Massa at the German Grand Prix, essentially instructing him to let Fernando Alonso pass. Despite the coded message, the public saw right through it, and Ferrari was fined $100,000.
One of the most dramatic moments came in 2013 during the Malaysian Grand Prix. Red Bull’s Sebastian Vettel ignored team instructions to hold his position and overtook teammate Mark Webber, causing a major rift between the drivers.
Lastly, in 2018 at the Russian Grand Prix, Mercedes asked Valtteri Bottas to let Lewis Hamilton pass to help his championship chances. Bottas complied but was visibly frustrated, sparking debates about the fairness and ethics of such tactics.
Controversies over team orders in F1 have provided fans with drama and debate for years. While these strategies are often controversial, they highlight the complex, high-stakes world of Formula 1 racing.
