McLaren Maintains Split-Strategy Policy Amid Norris-Piastri Debate
Lando Norris has confirmed McLaren will not make "major changes" to its split-strategy policy, despite recent fan theories of favoritism towards him over Oscar Piastri. This comes after Norris defeated Piastri at the Hungarian Grand Prix using an alternative one-stop strategy.
Why it matters
The strategy debate is crucial as McLaren contends for its first Drivers' title since 2008, with Piastri currently leading. Perceptions of fairness between teammates can impact team morale and championship dynamics.
The details
- Hungarian GP: Norris secured victory with a one-stop strategy after a poor start, while Piastri followed a conventional two-stop. Norris won by a narrow 0.698 seconds.
- Prior Race (Belgium): Norris was on more durable hard tires, while Piastri won on mediums, further fueling discussions.
- Team Principal's Stance: Andrea Stella previously denied unfairness, stating the team saw the two-stop as the favored choice and didn't initially believe a one-stop was viable.
- Norris's Perspective: He called the Hungarian GP "a bit of an outlier" and clarified his one-stop decision was aimed at gaining position, not initially winning the race. He also stressed that both drivers want the freedom to race strategically.
- Championship Focus: Norris emphasized the Constructors' title remains a priority, indicating continued team-level strategy reviews without "major changes."
What's next
McLaren will continue to review and tweak strategies race-by-race, but the fundamental policy of allowing drivers strategic freedom appears set to remain. The team aims to balance individual driver ambitions with the overarching goal of winning both the Drivers' and Constructors' championships. Norris expressed confidence in his personal improvements and decision-making, separate from pure luck.