McLaren: Does 2007 revive? Error in Qatar puts F1 championship at risk

Piastri and McLaren: A Nightmare Weekend in Qatar

DOHA, Qatar – Oscar Piastri, visibly affected, summed up the situation in a few words after crossing the finish line at the Lusail International Circuit: “No words.” The disappointment was not only felt by the McLaren driver. The Formula 1 team experienced a catastrophic weekend at the Qatar Grand Prix, with strategic decisions that left everyone astonished. The McLaren team’s strategy, by not pitting under the safety car on lap 7, opened the door for Max Verstappen to take the victory and continue his path towards the championship. This decision, in addition to depriving Piastri of a deserved victory, complicated Lando Norris’s situation in the fight for the title. This error, which could be one of the worst in F1 history, led to the championship being decided in Abu Dhabi, something that hadn’t happened since the controversial end of 2021. Although Norris still has possibilities, Verstappen’s talent is undeniable, and many fans believe in the Dutch driver’s ability to make a comeback.

Obviously, it wasn’t our best day.

Lando Norris

The situation is aggravated when considering that this was the team’s second mistake in a week, after the double disqualification in the Las Vegas Grand Prix. This series of errors recalls the 2007 season, when the fight between Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton allowed Kimi Räikkönen to win the championship. Zak Brown, CEO of McLaren, has expressed his preference for Verstappen to win the title rather than see his drivers compete against each other. The team’s policy of not favoring either driver has been controversial, and Sunday’s decisions seemed to disadvantage Piastri, who had already conceded important points in the past. Piastri, despite not being mathematically out of the fight, is now in a difficult position. Sunday’s mistake came on a weekend in which he seemed to be in his best form, achieving pole position and victory in the sprint race. Now, with a 16-point deficit, the question arises as to whether he will be asked to support his teammate in Abu Dhabi. McLaren’s strategy was a complete disaster. The race in Qatar was held under a new rule that required stops every 25 laps due to tire problems. The timing of the safety car was crucial and McLaren’s decision not to pit left both drivers at a disadvantage.

The decision not to do a double pit stop was incomprehensible, as the team had the time to do it. Norris even asked his engineer about the logic of the strategy, receiving an unconvincing answer. The result was that both drivers had to move up positions. Stella, the team boss, justified the decision, but the irony is that he himself was involved in a similar strategic error in the past. The current situation could lead McLaren to repeat past mistakes, and team orders could be key in Abu Dhabi.

Verstappen: The “Chucky” of F1

Max Verstappen has shown an impressive performance. The Red Bull team is surprised by his performance since the Italian Grand Prix. Verstappen, with five victories in eight races, has proven his worth and is on his way to leaving a mark on F1 history.

Verstappen, with a defiant attitude, joked about McLaren’s situation. He has been relentless on the track, and his only blemish has been an incident at the Spanish Grand Prix. Verstappen has acknowledged his mistake and remains focused on the championship.