McLaren's 'Wake-Up Call' with 'Pissed Off' Drivers Heading into Abu Dhabi Decider
McLaren's strategic missteps at the Qatar GP, which saw them miss a prime opportunity despite a strong qualifying, have been dubbed a 'wake-up call' by Juan Pablo Montoya. The team's 'pissed off' drivers and an admission of a 'huge mistake' by their team principal could ignite a more aggressive, unified approach for the crucial Abu Dhabi season finale, where they face a tightened championship fight against Max Verstappen.
McLaren's recent Qatar Grand Prix performance, while not a total disaster, served as a significant 'wake-up call' for the team, according to former F1 driver Juan Pablo Montoya. Despite securing a front-row lockout for the first time since Australia, strategic errors and individual struggles meant the team missed a golden opportunity for a dominant result, leading to an apology from Team Principal Andrea Stella to its 'pissed off' drivers. This setback, however, could be the catalyst McLaren needs heading into the Abu Dhabi season finale.
Why it matters:
- McLaren's consistent performance gains this season have positioned them as a strong contender, but strategic missteps in Qatar highlighted a need for sharper execution.
- With the championship battle tightening, particularly with Max Verstappen now joining the McLaren drivers in contention, the team's ability to capitalize on opportunities is more critical than ever.
- The 'wake-up call' could inject a more aggressive, decisive approach into McLaren's strategy, essential for challenging Red Bull in the upcoming decider.
The Details:
- Qatar Qualifying Success: McLaren drivers Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris secured a 1-2 start on the grid, demonstrating their car's strong pace.
- Race Start: Piastri initially led, building a two-second gap, while Max Verstappen once again got ahead of Norris on the opening lap.
- Safety Car Blunder: A Safety Car deployed on Lap 7 (due to Nico Hulkenberg's crash) proved pivotal. McLaren was one of only three teams not to pit its drivers, a decision Andrea Stella later admitted was a 'huge mistake' that 'effectively conceded one pit stop to a rival that was fast.'
- Race Result Impact: Piastri finished second behind Verstappen, and Norris dropped to fourth, losing a position to Carlos Sainz. This meant Verstappen closed the gap, setting up a tighter title showdown in Abu Dhabi.
- Championship Standings (pre-Abu Dhabi): Norris leads Verstappen by 12 points, with Piastri a further four points behind.
- Montoya's Perspective: Juan Pablo Montoya views the 'rough' Qatar weekend as a 'good thing,' stating it's a 'big wake-up call' for McLaren to 'not be conservative' and to 'execute.' He believes the drivers are 'pissed off,' which could fuel a more attacking approach.
What's next:
Heading into Abu Dhabi, the pressure is on McLaren to demonstrate they've learned from their Qatar experience.
- Montoya suggests Abu Dhabi will be a 'very good track' for McLaren, offering another chance to challenge Red Bull.
- The key question remains how McLaren will manage its internal driver battle between Norris and Piastri, especially if Red Bull proves to be stronger, requiring a unified team effort to maximize points against Verstappen.
- If McLaren can translate its 'wake-up call' into flawless execution and an aggressive strategy, they stand a strong chance of making a significant impact on the championship decider and potentially securing a title.