McLaren on the Tightrope: Justice or Strategy in F1 with Norris and Piastri?

Verstappen Mocks McLaren’s Strategy at Monza

In the Italian Grand Prix, undisputed leader Max Verstappen couldn’t help but laugh at McLaren’s strategy in the final laps. Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, teammates and title contenders, swapped positions at the team’s order, a moment that left many perplexed.

Ha! Just because he had a slow pit stop?

Max Verstappen

The situation, which unfolded after McLaren’s pit stops, was unusual. Verstappen pitted earlier, yielding position, while McLaren opted for a late strategy, seeking to capitalize on a possible Safety Car. Piastri, the second to pit, had an impeccable stop, but Norris’s was slower, losing valuable seconds and falling behind his teammate.

Faced with this, McLaren intervened, asking Piastri to concede the position in the name of “fairness.” Piastri, although initially reluctant, complied.

Norris regained second position, reducing his lead in the championship. Verstappen, for his part, remained distant from the situation, making it clear that it was not his problem. This McLaren strategy contrasts with that of Red Bull and Verstappen, who in the past refused to concede a position to his teammate, Sergio Pérez. McLaren, on the other hand, has sought equity between its drivers, but this has generated controversies. McLaren’s decision to prioritize “fairness” has raised doubts about their strategy in the championship. The team is faced with the question of what is fair and how it will be applied in the future, especially as the championship reaches its climax. Toto Wolff, head of Mercedes, has suggested that McLaren has opened a Pandora’s Box, setting a difficult precedent to undo. The consequences of this decision could be significant, with the possibility of similar situations arising in the future. Norris and Piastri have made it clear that they will follow the team’s decisions, but the situation raises questions about how McLaren will handle future situations and whether their decisions will be consistent. The season promises more twists and debates about strategy and fairness in Formula 1.

McLaren will review the last laps of Monza before the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, but a change of approach seems unlikely. The team has emphasized the importance of continuous review for improvement, but not necessarily to change its strategy.