McLaren Reveals Action Plan as Verstappen Threatens Title Hopes

McLaren leadership, Andrea Stella and Zak Brown, have publicly addressed the looming threat of Max Verstappen potentially snatching the Driver's Championship from their contenders, Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri. They've outlined McLaren's strategic approach should Verstappen defy expectations and claim the title.

Why it matters:

McLaren's candid acknowledgement of Verstappen as a genuine title contender, despite their drivers' current lead, signals a significant shift in the championship narrative. It highlights the growing pressure on the Woking team and their commitment to fair competition between their drivers, even if it means risking the ultimate prize. This stance also underscores the extraordinary form Verstappen has shown in recent races, turning what seemed like an insurmountable lead into a tight battle.

The details:

• Verstappen's Surge: In just five race weekends, Max Verstappen has dramatically cut the McLaren drivers' championship lead by 68 points, reducing a 104-point deficit to just 36. This remarkable comeback sets the stage for what could be one of F1's most historic upsets.
• McLaren's Philosophy: Both Stella and Brown emphasized that if Verstappen wins, their primary focus will be on ensuring McLaren performed to the best of their abilities and adhered to their core racing principles. Brown notably stated, "I want to make sure if we don't win, he beats us, we don't beat ourselves. That's important."
• Internal Competition: Addressing concerns about a repeat of the contentious 2007 season, where McLaren drivers Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso lost the title to Kimi Räikkönen due to internal rivalry, Brown affirmed McLaren will not implement team orders. He emphasized their commitment to letting both Norris and Piastri race for the championship, stating, "We're playing offence, we're not playing defence."
• No Favorites: Brown reiterated McLaren's unwavering stance against favoring one driver over the other. He expressed a preference for an outcome where their drivers tie on points and are beaten by a rival, rather than denying one driver their championship dream by playing favorites. "In the event 2007 happens again? I'd rather have that outcome than all the other outcomes by playing favorites. We won't do it. We're racers. We're going racing," he concluded.

What's next:

McLaren's declaration sets a clear path for the remainder of the season, promising an uninhibited battle for the championship between their two drivers, Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, even with Max Verstappen breathing down their necks. This approach, while risky, aims to demonstrate McLaren's integrity and belief in pure racing. The focus will now shift to how their strategy plays out on track and whether their commitment to open competition ultimately leads to a championship or a valuable lesson learned. If Verstappen does clinch the title, McLaren's resolve will be tested in their efforts to come back even stronger in 2025.

Between the lines:

The unspoken tension of a potential 2007 scenario replaying itself within McLaren's garage is palpable. By explicitly addressing it and reaffirming their commitment to letting their drivers race, Brown and Stella are attempting to preemptively manage potential negative narratives and demonstrate transparency. This strategic communication also serves to motivate their drivers, assuring them of equal opportunity in the title hunt, while simultaneously acknowledging the formidable challenge posed by Verstappen's relentless pursuit. The team's resolve to "win next year" if they fall short this season underlines a long-term vision beyond a single championship.