McLaren Relieved as Red Bull Opts Against Verstappen 'Gamble' in São Paulo

McLaren team principal Andrea Stella expressed significant relief after Red Bull chose not to take a "significant gamble" with Max Verstappen's strategy at the São Paulo Grand Prix, which could have led to a direct battle for the win.

Why it matters:

Red Bull's decision to pit Verstappen for a third time, rather than attempting to stretch a two-stop strategy, spared McLaren a potentially intense on-track battle. This highlights the fine margins and strategic pressures at the front of Formula 1, where every decision can dramatically alter the race outcome and impact competitors' strategies.

The details:

• Verstappen started from the pit lane and made an early stop for a puncture, switching to medium tires.
• He made his second stop on Lap 34. After Lando Norris's final stop on Lap 50, Verstappen briefly cycled into the lead, setting up a potential head-to-head for the victory.
• Red Bull's Strategic Choice: Instead of attempting to go to the end on the used tires, Red Bull pitted Verstappen for a third time, fitting soft compound tires. This secured him a podium finish but removed him from contention for the win against Norris.
• Stella acknowledged that the high tire degradation in the race made Red Bull's decision to pit sensible, as trying to finish on the same set would have been a "significant gamble."
• He also noted that Red Bull benefited from having new medium and soft tires available, allowing them strategic flexibility.

Between the lines:

Stella implied that without Verstappen's qualifying drama, which saw him eliminated early and forced a car change, he would have been a strong contender for the victory. This suggests that while Red Bull's strategy was prudent given the circumstances, Verstappen's inherent pace and the car's performance were still top-tier. McLaren's relief underscores the respect for Red Bull's race pace and Verstappen's ability to recover through the field.

What's next:

This race serves as a reminder of Red Bull's formidable strength, even when starting from a disadvantage. For McLaren, it reinforced their position as consistent podium contenders. As the season progresses, strategic battles and tire management will remain critical factors, especially as teams push the limits to challenge Red Bull's dominance.