McLaren’s Qatar GP strategy blunder shows exactly why they’ve already poached key Red Bull talent

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McLaren had a bit of a disaster at the Qatar Grand Prix and left plenty of points on the table, courtesy of a poor strategy decision.

It meant that Oscar Piastri, who was the quickest car on track all weekend, had to settle for second place. Lando Norris clawed his way to fourth, despite struggles late in the race.

The door was opened for Max Verstappen and Red Bull, and they burst through it at the first opportunity by winning and taking the title fight to Abu Dhabi.

The drivers’ championship is far from being a foregone conclusion, and it looks as though fans are set for a thrilling finale.

Who is going to win the 2025 Formula 1 drivers’ championship?

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But, after McLaren protected Norris in Qatar from the media, it’ll be a bit harder to get him away from the spotlight at the final event of the year.

McLaren won’t give team orders in Abu Dhabi, and will continue to work from the same set of papaya rules as they have all season. It has been a key talking point all year.

READ MORE: Martin Brundle was spot-on with his verdict on Oscar Piastri after the Qatar Grand Prix

McLaren’s Qatar strategy shows exactly why they signed Will Courtenay from Red Bull for 2026

McLaren fans were stunned by their strategy in Qatar, as they were the only team that decided not to pit on lap seven, when an early safety car was declared.

Due to a maximum of 25 laps being permitted on each tyre, and a 57-lap race in store for them, it made perfect sense to change rubber, but they didn’t. It left their drivers with extra stops to make.

Verstappen called McLaren’s strategy ‘interesting’ and knew straight away that he had an excellent shot at victory.

Make one BOLD prediction for the 2025 season finale in Abu Dhabi!

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Piastri said it was ‘pretty obvious’ McLaren made an error, and it potentially cost him seven points, and a real chance at claiming his first title.

All this points to why McLaren have poached Red Bull’s Head of Strategy – Will Courtenay, to be their Sporting Director from the start of the 2026 F1 regulations.

It’s clearly an area that they identified for improvement, and now they will reap the rewards of preparing for the future. He’s clearly a valuable asset at Red Bull.

READ MORE: How ‘shellshocked’ Zak Brown and Andrea Stella instantly reacted after Qatar GP McLaren disaster

Why McLaren cannot afford to let Max Verstappen win the 2025 F1 title

From 104 points ahead in the summer, there was no one in the paddock that believed for a second that anyone else would be winning the drivers’ title this season.

Piastri was the clear favourite and on hot form at the time, and now the tables have completely flipped. He’s the outsider.

Their refusal to use team orders could come back to bite them and present an opportunity to Verstappen in Abu Dhabi.

All he needs to do is win and hope Norris misses the podium to secure a fifth straight championship. It would be one of the most embarrassing losses of all time if McLaren were to fail.