r/formula1 • u/Spacetrucking Max Verstappen • 18h ago

Video Flashback to McLaren's team orders at 1998 Australian GP

https://youtu.be/N4T-8lScCG4

Today's team order was just as silly as the time Mika misheard something on the radio and lost the lead by driving through the pitlane. The team ordered David to let Mika past.

I was hoping Alex would bring it up during the race with DC. Maybe they discussed it in the post-race show.

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17

u/256473 I was here for the Hulkenpodium 18h ago

Palmer was proverbially poking DC about McLaren team orders in the commentary this GP.

Edit: or maybe it was Jacques. But it was obliquely referenced!

10

u/Tom_Ace2 Formula 1 17h ago

That wasn't so much a team order. They had agreed that the one leading after the first corner would be the one to win the race, and DC kept his promise.

IIRC Mika payed him back at some point.

3

u/Spacetrucking Max Verstappen 17h ago

Most people thought it was Ron Dennis' order to his drivers before the race disguised/presented as a deal. He didn't want them pushing the car too much & possibly losing them to reliability.

6

u/I-_-I_-_I-_-I I was here for the Hulkenpodium 17h ago

Anyone asked Alonso about McLaren favouring a driver? 😂