McLaren: Blunder in Qatar revives 2007 ghosts, Verstappen champion?

Piastri and McLaren: A Nightmare Weekend in Qatar

The Qatar Grand Prix of Formula 1 left a bitter taste for McLaren, especially for Oscar Piastri. After an outstanding performance that included pole position and victory in the sprint race, the team made a strategic error that cost Piastri valuable points in the fight for the championship. The visibly disappointed driver expressed his frustration after the race. McLaren’s decision not to take advantage of the Safety Car entry on lap 7, while the rest of the grid headed to the pits, harmed Piastri’s aspirations.

“Speechless. I have no words,” said Oscar Piastri after crossing the finish line at the Lusail International Circuit.

Oscar Piastri

This error not only deprived Piastri of a crucial victory, but also benefited Max Verstappen, who took the victory and continues his path towards his fifth world title. Lando Norris, the other McLaren driver, was also affected by the team’s strategy. The situation is even more delicate after McLaren’s double disqualification in the Las Vegas Grand Prix due to a technical infringement. This accumulation of errors has raised doubts about the team’s ability to compete at the highest level. The team’s strategy in Qatar, considered one of the worst mistakes in F1 history, has put the fight for the championship at risk. Now, the definition will take place in Abu Dhabi, and the pressure falls on the shoulders of McLaren. Norris, although he still has mathematical possibilities, will have to face the challenge of Verstappen, who has demonstrated exceptional performance. Formula 1 fans are wondering if the Dutch driver will be able to make a comeback. Norris himself, at the end of the race, admitted his disappointment: “Obviously, it wasn’t our best day.” McLaren’s decision not to pit under the Safety Car, when the rest of the teams did, was a costly mistake. The strategy of leaving Piastri on track made no sense and prevented him from achieving a double podium. McLaren CEO Zak Brown has expressed his preference for Verstappen to win the title rather than see his drivers compete against each other, which has generated controversy. The lack of support for one of the drivers has been evident on several occasions, such as at the Monza Grand Prix and the Singapore Grand Prix. Piastri, although not mathematically out of the running, is in an unfavorable position. The error in Qatar has complicated his championship aspirations. Now, the uncomfortable question arises as to whether he should support his teammate to ensure that McLaren does not repeat as constructors’ champions without winning the drivers’ title. McLaren’s strategy in the Qatar Grand Prix was a mistake that could cost them dearly. The race was affected by a new rule requiring stops every 25 laps due to tire conditions. The team missed the opportunity to secure a double podium.

The Safety Car moment was crucial, and McLaren made the wrong decision. The situation highlighted the team’s lack of strategy, which failed to seize the opportunity to achieve a favorable result. Verstappen, after the race, acknowledged the opportunity that presented itself: “When they called me, I had to look and remember that we were on lap seven. So I thought: ‘Okay, now we can go to the end'”. The decision not to pit was a clear mistake, and the team didn’t know how to react. Mercedes, for its part, could have done a double stack, but didn’t. McLaren’s lack of communication and poor strategy cost them dearly. Norris, apparently, already sensed the team’s mistake. The race engineer responded that the strategy would give him flexibility, but reality proved otherwise. The lack of strategy and the impossibility of overtaking in Qatar condemned McLaren. Stella, the team boss, justified the decision, but the reality is that the strategic error cost Piastri important points. The situation has raised doubts about McLaren’s impartiality, and some believe that Piastri has been disadvantaged in favor of Norris. The decision not to do a double stack was risky and jeopardized Piastri’s position. The team now faces the possibility of Piastri winning in Abu Dhabi, but losing the championship due to the points lost in Monza. The situation at McLaren is delicate, and the decisions made in Abu Dhabi will be crucial. Stella has assured that the team’s principles will be respected and that justice and integrity will be prioritized. However, the situation remains uncertain. On the horizon, the final showdown in Abu Dhabi is looming, where team orders and McLaren’s rules will be crucial.

Verstappen: The “Chucky” of Formula 1

While McLaren stumbles, Max Verstappen has demonstrated his supremacy. The Red Bull driver has had an exceptional performance, and his dominance in the last races has been impressive. Verstappen has won five of the last eight races, and his performance has been fundamental to the fight for the championship.

Verstappen compares himself to “Chucky”, the horror movie character, and has made it clear that he is enjoying the moment. The driver has been relentless and has taken advantage of McLaren’s mistakes. Verstappen acknowledges his mistake in the Spanish Grand Prix, but his season has been impeccable. Verstappen’s dominance has highlighted McLaren’s errors, and the team faces a complicated challenge in Abu Dhabi.