Lando Norris more open to team assistance at Austrian GP

Lando Norris reveals his changed approach in accepting team radio assistance during the Austrian Grand Prix — a strategy that helped defend his position against teammate Oscar Piastri‘s pressure.

Intensive communication between Norris and his race engineer Will Joseph became a TV broadcast highlight, particularly as both McLaren drivers were free to compete against each other at the front.

“As much as I like to not have any radio and just do my own thing, there’s nothing wrong with asking for guidance when you’ve got quick guys behind or ahead,” explained Norris, who secured his seventh GP victory in Austria.

Team principal Andrea Stella explained — the active communication was necessary due to Piastri maintaining DRS range, combined with significant tire degradation at the Red Bull Ring circuit.

Norris successfully applied lessons from his battle against Max Verstappen last year to ensure he could reclaim position after briefly being passed by Piastri at Turn 3 on lap 11.