Analyzing McLaren’s Strategy Calls in the Japanese Grand Prix

In a revealing discussion during the Bahrain Grand Prix press conference, McLaren drivers Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris shed light on the reasons behind the team’s decision not to reverse their positions towards the latter stages of the Japanese Grand Prix. Describing it as a “high-risk, low-reward” situation, Piastri emphasized the importance of focusing on qualifying instead.

The Key Role of Qualifying in Race Outcomes

Despite requesting to pass teammate Norris to attempt an overtake on Max Verstappen, Piastri admitted that this move would likely not have resulted in victory. He explained, “Qualifying ahead of Max was probably the key to that. We looked through it, I think it was pretty clear to see that you needed a very big case advantage to overtake on Sunday, and I think the best way to that, like I said, qualifying a bit better.

Expanding on this point, Piastri added, “Even in the race, we were pretty limited with what we could do. So, I think there was still some things that we could have done a little bit differently to try, and I think that the team would acknowledge that.

The Importance of Risk Assessment in Strategy Calls

Both drivers agreed that there were potential scenarios where they could have acted differently. Piastri stated, “So, I think there was still some things that we could have done a little bit differently to try, and I think that the team would acknowledge that.

Norris echoed this sentiment, saying, “There’s a lot of things in hindsight, nothing which didn’t come without risk, which was probably the biggest answer to things. I think it’s very easy, and even for me when I stepped out of the car and I looked at things, I wasn’t best pleased with how things looked, and maybe what felt like our approach to the whole thing.

However, both drivers stood by their team’s decisions, with Norris adding, “But nothing was a guarantee, you know, nothing was a guarantee that I would have passed Max. Nothing was a guarantee that the undercut would have been strong enough. I would have come out always in every moment in traffic and behind the car, so there was no guarantee for everything.

The Long-Term Perspective: Points and Constructors’ Championship

Despite the disappointment of losing out to Verstappen, both drivers emphasized the importance of not giving away unnecessary points to their competitors. Norris concluded, “We’ve gone through a lot of things, but ultimately, make sure you qualify where you should be.

Team Principal Andrea Stella’s Explanation

Following the Japanese Grand Prix, team principal Andrea Stella explained to the media that the drivers needed to be eight-tenths faster than the car in front to make the overtake happen. This insight provides a deeper understanding of the strategic decisions made by McLaren during the race.