MONZA, Italy :McLaren team boss Andrea Stella said a team orders controversy in Sunday's Italian Grand Prix was about putting McLaren's racing values first as well as fairness.

The reigning Formula One champions and runaway leaders asked Oscar Piastri to hand back second place to teammate Lando Norris after the Briton suffered a slow pitstop through no fault of his own.

The decision, accepted by both drivers, cut the Australian's overall lead to 31 points from 34. The pair are effectively the only drivers fighting for the title, such is their advantage over the rest.

"The pitstop situation is not only a matter of fairness, it's a matter of consistency with our principles," Stella told reporters.

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