The tension within McLaren is already palpable. The team is trying to give both drivers, Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, equal opportunities in the battle for the world title. However, in Japan, this approach clearly didn’t work and ended up costing McLaren the victory, which ultimately went to world champion Max Verstappen.
Although team principal Andrea Stella claims that there are no rising tensions within the team, reality seems to suggest otherwise. A heated discussion between Piastri’s manager, Mark Webber, and McLaren boss Zak Brown immediately after the Japanese Grand Prix is the first sign of this.
Helmut Marko questions McLaren’s strategy
After the Japanese Grand Prix, Helmut Marko raised doubts about McLaren’s strategy. The Red Bull advisor watched Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri finish second and third, respectively, but according to him, they never seriously tried to challenge Max Verstappen. The world champion secured his first victory of the season at Suzuka, but both McLaren drivers remained close behind him until the final lap.
Piastri started and finished in third. During the race, he requested to be allowed to pass Norris, claiming he was faster than the then-second-placed driver. But the pit wall denied him permission.
Tough questions
Webber reportedly confronted Brown with tough questions, such as: “Why didn’t you let Oscar win? Why did you hold him back while he had better pace than Lando? How long will you keep restricting him? And does the team’s interest outweigh the driver’s by choosing a conservative strategy instead of going for the win?” Brown’s response remains unknown.
Much criticism
McLaren faced a lot of criticism for how their drivers handled the race—without making a single attempt to challenge race leader Max Verstappen. During the pit stops, McLaren called Piastri in on lap 20, followed a lap later by Verstappen and Norris. That may have been the only chance to get ahead of Verstappen without having to overtake him on track.
Verstappen’s continued dominance
Last year, Max Verstappen secured his fourth consecutive world championship. The Dutchman had to pull out all the stops to stay ahead of Lando Norris in the championship. This season, Verstappen is once again battling McLaren, which is defending the constructors’ title. You can read all about the current Formula 1 standings here.
Contract clause
Earlier this season, it became clear that Piastri is protected against team orders that would benefit Norris—except in situations where the team’s interest demands it. Rumor has it that Mark Webber was behind these clauses in Piastri’s new contract, which he signed just before the start of the Australian Grand Prix.
