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McLaren will be walking away from the Qatar Grand Prix very frustrated to have thrown away a chance at a better result.
Both Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri were compromised on a day when the team could’ve successfully sealed a first title double in 27 years.
Instead, the drivers’ championship will go right down to the wire in Abu Dhabi, with the first three-way fight since 2010.
McLaren will have to be wary of Max Verstappen’s presence, now that he is just 12 points behind. It’ll be hard for there to be much teamwork if their drivers are fighting against each other, though.
Who is your pick for the 2025 champion after the Qatar Grand Prix?
Andrea Stella admitted McLaren’s strategy was wrong after leaving both cars out following an early safety car. From there, their drivers were fighting against the tide.
McLaren fans were stunned by their strategy error, and it comes at a crucial point in the season. They could have been in complete control, but instead, they now have a lot to consider.
Andrea Stella insists McLaren will not use team orders between Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri in Abu Dhabi
Stella and Zak Brown were ‘shellshocked’ in Qatar and had to take some time after the race to gather their thoughts before speaking to the media.
Verstappen called McLaren’s strategy ‘interesting’ and was a bit surprised to see neither car pit on lap seven. He knew immediately that he had a great chance.
Stopping would’ve meant an inevitable double stack, potentially relegating Norris down the order and compromising his race.
In the pursuit of fairness, the team made an error. But will that approach remain the same with Verstappen breathing down their necks in the finale?
Who has been your Qatar Grand Prix Driver of the Day?
According to Ronald Vording on X, Stella has insisted that their approach remains even between their two drivers.
“Andrea Stella asked after the Qatar GP about McLaren’s approach to Abu Dhabi. The answer was clear: McLaren will (still) not choose between the two drivers.
“Discussions with both drivers will take place next week, but no intervention despite the threat from Max Verstappen.”
READ MORE: Oscar Piastri makes ‘pretty obvious’ claim about McLaren’s strategy immediately after the Qatar GP
Who lost the most in McLaren’s Qatar Grand Prix strategy blunder?
Despite being the quickest driver all weekend, Piastri somehow found a way not to win in Qatar. He had earned it on merit.
But there’s little that can be done now with just one race to go. From 16 points behind, he knows that he has to win.
Oscar Piastri couldn’t believe his luck at the end of the Qatar Grand Prix. Do you think he can still win the championship?
If everything had remained as it was at the end of lap one, Piastri would be just nine points behind Norris now, with Verstappen 17 behind.
Despite also seeing a clear fault in his team’s decision, he still has a chance of winning his first title, no matter how small. Vettel won from 15 points behind in 2010, and it could be done again.
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