In a thrilling British Grand Prix that saw McLaren poised for a remarkable finish, the team’s strategic decisions ultimately cost them a top spot. As rain began to fall and the drivers sped around Silverstone, McLaren’s Andrea Stella candidly admitted to being “greedy” in their approach, leading to a missed opportunity for a one-two win.
McLaren had a strong hold on the race, with their drivers occupying P1 and P2 by lap 27. However, a critical decision arose as the rain began to drizzle down and the drivers barely half a second apart. The team faced a tough choice: whether to pit both cars simultaneously, known as a double stack, or to stagger their stops. Opting for the latter, McLaren soon found themselves regretting that call.
Oscar Piastri was left out while Lando Norris pitted, but by the time Piastri reached the pit entry, Norris had closed the gap to within five seconds. In hindsight, Stella acknowledged that they should have opted for the double stack, even accepting the potential time loss. “We should have pushed harder for the double stack,” he admitted, recognizing that delaying Piastri’s stop by one lap incurred more of a time penalty than the alternative.
Stella reflected on the team’s strategy, confessing that they were perhaps too “greedy” and reluctant to lose any time by doubling up on the pit stops. This caution, however, did not pay off. He noted, “Sometimes you just have to be patient and accept that you’re going to lose time. It’s better to do the right thing rather than hope that one lap more won’t matter, especially with steady rain.”
Piastri also shared his thoughts on the race, labeling it as one of the hardest calls in motor racing. “You’ve got two cars, one-two, separated by half a second with rain coming down. I don’t think it gets any harder than that,” he expressed. Despite the challenging conditions, he believed that a double stack would have been the wiser choice, though acknowledging the benefit of hindsight.
As the dust settles on the British Grand Prix, McLaren is left to ponder what could have been. Both Andrea Stella and Oscar Piastri have taken lessons from the experience, understanding the importance of making bold yet calculated decisions under pressure. With future races on the horizon, McLaren aims to apply these learnings and strive for victory without hesitation.
