McLaren Drivers 'Weighted Down' by Title Battle, Analyst Says

F1 analyst and former IndyCar driver James Hinchcliffe believes McLaren teammates Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris are feeling the pressure of the championship battle. Their recent collision at the United States Grand Prix sprint race, which led to a double DNF, highlights the strain as Max Verstappen continues to cut into Piastri's championship lead.

Why it matters:

McLaren's drivers, once dominant, are showing cracks under the intense pressure of a tight championship race. This 'weighted down' feeling, as Hinchcliffe describes it, could be a critical factor in the final races, potentially allowing Red Bull and Verstappen to capitalize and swing the title outcome.

The details:

• Collision in Austin: At the Circuit of the Americas, Piastri and Norris collided in the sprint race, forcing both out and derailing their weekend.
• Race Results: Norris managed a P2 finish in the main race, while Piastri secured P5. This, combined with Verstappen's third win in four races, significantly reduced Piastri's championship lead.
• Hinchcliffe's Take: On the F1 Nation podcast, James Hinchcliffe stated, "A free driver is a fast driver, right? The two McLaren drivers are not free right now. They are weighted down with this looming battle."
• Pressure on Red Bull: Hinchcliffe also noted that Red Bull's pit stops in 2024 began to falter once McLaren caught up, suggesting that pressure affects even the most dominant teams.
• Championship Dynamics: While leading the championship is desirable, it comes with immense pressure, making it a harder position to be in, according to Hinchcliffe.

The big picture:

McLaren's strong start to the season saw them as constructors' champions and title contenders. However, they have been winless since the Dutch Grand Prix, missing out on victory in the last four races. This 'blip' in their dominant campaign coincides with a resurgence from Max Verstappen and Red Bull, putting immense pressure on McLaren to regain their form.

What's next:

McLaren's team principal Andrea Stella had expressed confidence that the championship was "in [McLaren's] hands" after Austin. However, team boss Laurent Mekies now believes that the Woking-based squad "no longer holds the advantage they had" with only five races remaining. The upcoming Mexican Grand Prix will be crucial for McLaren to demonstrate if they can shake off the pressure and return to winning ways to challenge for the title.