McLaren steps up with a new strategy plan inspired by 2016 World Champion Nico Rosberg’s insights.
- The team aims to prevent conflicts between its star drivers, Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, by establishing clear pre-race instructions.
- In Hungary, McLaren faced challenges when Norris was asked to yield his position back to Piastri, leading to intense discussions.
- Team boss Andrea Stella acknowledges the need for better preparation before races to avoid on-the-fly decisions.
- McLaren’s culture of growth and learning from past races is evident as they prepare for the Belgian Grand Prix.
McLaren has embraced a new strategy driven by valuable advice from Nico Rosberg, echoing the need for clear pre-race plans to avoid internal conflicts. With rising talents like Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, the team recognizes the potential of these drivers to potentially lead them to victory. However, as seen in Hungary, managing two capable drivers can be a tightrope walk.
In Hungary, McLaren encountered a tricky situation when they opted to give Norris the undercut during pit stops, only to spend several laps persuading him to give the lead back to Piastri. This incident highlighted the importance of having a well-thought-out race strategy. Rosberg, well-versed in team dynamics, emphasized the need for sticking to predetermined plans to prevent any fallout.
Andrea Stella, McLaren’s team boss, has taken these warnings seriously. From the Belgian Grand Prix onwards, McLaren will have pre-race plans set in stone, ensuring they are not caught unprepared mid-race. Stella acknowledged, “Carrying this golden rule in any kind of challenging situation, this is the responsibility of the team. It’s my responsibility.”
The team has been proactive, conducting meetings to discuss various potential scenarios with the drivers. Maintaining constructive dialogue is central to this new approach. In reflecting on the Hungarian race, Stella noted the learning curve for Norris, who is experiencing the pressures of competing for a championship title. Nevertheless, Stella expressed confidence in his team’s ability to rectify these growing pains, noting, “It’s a little bit of a missed opportunity for Lando because if he swapped immediately, he would have had 20 laps to fight for the win.”
Despite past challenges, McLaren sees these moments as steps in their team-building journey. Norris’ sportsmanship, as he openly acknowledged Piastri’s earned victory, exemplifies a positive outlook within the team. Stella likens their challenges to a tree falling—while loud, it provides insight crucial for future growth, emphasizing McLaren’s focus on continuous improvement.
As McLaren adopts a refined approach to race strategy, the focus remains on fostering talent while ensuring smooth internal dynamics.
