Steiner: McLaren Staff Unhappy but Silenced by Team Culture

Former Haas F1 team principal Guenther Steiner believes McLaren staff are currently "unhappy" but are afraid to speak out against the team's prevailing "culture." This comes as McLaren approaches the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix with Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri still in contention for the drivers' title, despite recent strategic errors and the looming threat of Max Verstappen.

Why it matters:

McLaren has shown impressive performance this season, bringing both Norris and Piastri into championship contention. However, recent high-profile mistakes, particularly the strategic misstep in Qatar and disqualifications in Las Vegas, have highlighted potential underlying issues. Steiner's comments suggest a lack of open criticism within the team, which could become problematic if they fail to secure the title despite having a strong car.

The Details:

• Championship Stakes: Lando Norris is currently 12 points ahead of Max Verstappen, while Oscar Piastri trails Verstappen by four points heading into the Abu Dhabi season finale.
• Qatar Blunder: McLaren's decision not to pit either driver during a safety car period on lap seven in Qatar cost Piastri a likely victory and Norris a probable podium finish. This error handed Verstappen a crucial win, keeping him firmly in the title fight.
• Las Vegas Disqualification: The Qatar mistake followed both McLaren cars being disqualified in Las Vegas, adding to a series of recent setbacks.
• Steiner's Assessment: On the Red Flags podcast, Steiner stated, "I think they all are unhappy, but nobody voices it, because it's a culture." He clarified that while it might not be a "bad culture," the internal dissatisfaction is palpable.
• Lost Opportunities: Steiner emphasized the rarity of world championship opportunities, suggesting that despite McLaren having the "best car" mathematically, repeated strategic errors are putting their chances "at the edge all the time."

The big picture:

McLaren's recent performance resurgence has been a major story of the F1 season, showcasing significant strides in car development and driver talent. However, the recurring strategic errors at crucial moments suggest that the team's operational execution has not always matched its technical prowess. The perceived reluctance of staff to voice concerns, as highlighted by Steiner, points to a broader cultural dynamic that could hinder self-correction and optimal performance under pressure.

What's next:

All eyes will be on the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix to see if McLaren can overcome their recent stumbles and secure the drivers' title with either Norris or Piastri. According to Steiner, a failure to win the championship could cause the internal frustrations to "spill out." The pressure is immense, not only on the drivers but on the entire team to deliver a flawless performance to capitalize on their strong car and put past mistakes behind them. A championship win would validate their season's efforts, while a loss could trigger a period of introspection and potential shifts within the team's operational culture.