McLaren's Strategy to Combat Verstappen's Surging Title Threat: Stay Calm and Focused

For the first time this season, a McLaren driver is no longer the favorite to win the Formula 1 world championship, with Max Verstappen now leading the odds. Just three races ago, Verstappen's odds were as long as +8000, but a significant turnaround by Red Bull has seen him dramatically slash Oscar Piastri's lead in the drivers' standings.

Why it matters:

After a strong start to the season, McLaren now faces its biggest challenge yet from a resurgent Max Verstappen, who has rapidly closed the points gap. The team's ability to maintain composure and execute their strategy in the final races will determine if they can secure the drivers' championship against a five-time title contender. This period will test McLaren's resilience and strategic acumen, proving whether their early-season dominance can translate into a championship win.

The big picture:

McLaren has been fully aware of Verstappen's threat for several races, with team principal Andrea Stella explicitly stating his concern earlier in the season. Stella emphasizes that Verstappen is a serious contender when he has the right equipment, acknowledging Red Bull's recent performance trend.

The details:

• Verstappen's Surge: Since the Italian Grand Prix, Verstappen has outscored both McLaren drivers combined, cutting his gap to Piastri by 64 points. This trend, if continued, would see him win his fifth title.
• Red Bull's Advancements: Red Bull introduced a significant upgrade to the RB21 at the Italian Grand Prix and found fruitful setup directions, making Verstappen's car the fastest on the grid in recent races.
• McLaren's Recent Struggles: McLaren drivers have faced challenges maximizing car performance, with errors like Piastri's crashes in Baku contributing to the shrinking lead.
• Upcoming Track Advantage: McLaren believes three of the remaining circuits (Brazil, Qatar, and Abu Dhabi) will better suit their car's strengths. Stella sees the upcoming five races, including two sprints, as opportunities to extend their lead.
• Austin Performance Analysis: Despite recent results, Stella is convinced Norris had the pace to win the U.S. Grand Prix had he not been battling Charles Leclerc. Piastri's performance at Austin was less clear, but the team gained important lessons for future rounds.
• Sprint Race Impact: McLaren's disastrous sprint race in Austin, where both drivers collided, led to a loss of crucial data. This hindered their ability to fine-tune ride heights for the main race, forcing them to play it safe on COTA's bumpy surface and potentially sacrificing performance to avoid plank wear disqualification.

Between the lines:

McLaren is maintaining a calm and collected approach, rejecting the idea of prioritizing one driver over the other unless mathematically necessary. Stella believes the current competitive pressure is inherent to Formula 1 and that the team needs to embrace it with maximum intensity and minimum stress. He views their current position as a privilege earned through hard work and is confident that continued dedication will yield positive results.

What's next:

McLaren's plan is to "keep calm and carry on." They aim to continue their good work, focusing on performance optimization and capitalizing on circuits that favor their car. The team will rely on both Piastri and Norris to maximize their potential in the remaining races, with the championship outcome hinging on their ability to consistently outscore Verstappen and Red Bull. The strategic decision to let mathematics dictate any team orders underscores their belief in both drivers' capabilities and their commitment to a fair fight until the very end.