Red Bull Admits Surprise at McLaren's Split Tyre Strategy in Abu Dhabi Constructors' Showdown
McLaren's unexpected split tyre strategy between Norris and Piastri thwarted Red Bull's attempts to disrupt the British team's constructors' title hopes in Abu Dhabi. Team Principal Laurent Mekies conceded the tactic was 'quite clever' and caught Red Bull off guard, securing McLaren's second-place finish in the championship.
McLaren executed a calculated split tyre strategy with Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix that blindsided Red Bull and secured second place in the constructors' championship. The Woking squad started Norris on mediums from P2 while Piastri took the unusual step of beginning on hard tyres from P3 – a move that prevented Max Verstappen from backing both McLarens into traffic to aid Ferrari's title hopes.
Why it matters:
This tactical masterstroke preserved McLaren's 39-point advantage over Ferrari in the constructors' standings, denying the Italian team a crucial second-place finish. With Verstappen already crowned drivers' champion, the real battle centered on who would claim F1's prestigious runner-up constructor honors – making McLaren's strategic precision vital for both prize money and 2024 momentum.
The Details:
- Strategic Gambit: Starting Piastri on hards created immediate separation between the two McLarens, forcing Verstappen to choose which rival to pressure – a dilemma he couldn't resolve effectively.
- Turn 9 Execution: Piastri's bold outside pass on Norris at Turn 9 on lap one wasn't incidental – it cemented the strategic split by establishing track position for the longer-stinting Australian.
- Red Bull's Dilemma: As Mekies admitted: "It gave them a lot of options, and ultimately gave us two scenarios to battle for the win. We were not expecting it."
- Tactical Domino Effect: Norris' early pit stop allowed him to undercut Charles Leclerc, while Piastri's extended hard-tyre stint created a protective buffer against Verstappen's late-race charge.
What's next:
This race crystallizes McLaren's evolution into strategic equals with F1's top teams – a transformation that will intensify pressure on rivals in 2024.
- The successful execution proves McLaren's race engineers have closed the tactical gap that plagued them in previous seasons, particularly against Red Bull's dominant strategy team.
- Expect increased focus on split strategies in 2024 as teams recognize their potential to disrupt competitors' plans during critical championship moments.
- With both Norris and Piastri demonstrating flawless teamwork, McLaren enters next season with strengthened driver chemistry – a crucial factor as they target challenging Red Bull's outright dominance.