McLaren error costs certain victory
Formula 1 heads into its first three-driver final-race title fight in 15 years after Max Verstappen wins a dramatic Qatar Grand Prix thanks to a major McLaren strategy mistake. Lando Norris calls it “not our greatest day,” a mild description after his team hands away a race that could have been theirs. His championship lead drops to 12 points before Abu Dhabi, while teammate Oscar Piastri falls another four points behind. Piastri stands stunned after the race as a near-certain win turns into second place, and his former second in the standings becomes third. “It’s pretty painful,” he admits. Norris remains the favourite because he only needs third place in Abu Dhabi to secure the title, even if Verstappen wins. Qatar proves that anything can happen in the season finale, recalling 2010 when Fernando Alonso led Mark Webber and Sebastian Vettel, only for Ferrari to ruin their strategy and hand Vettel his first championship.
How the key mistake unfolded
McLaren suffer a second crushing weekend after losing second and fourth in Las Vegas through a double disqualification. Before Qatar, team boss Zak Brown compares Verstappen to a horror villain who keeps returning. Ironically, McLaren create their own horror at Lusail by gifting Verstappen a win, raising pressure on both drivers before a thrilling and nerve-wracking finale. When a safety car appears on lap seven after a crash between Nico Hulkenberg and Pierre Gasly, every team but McLaren pits for fresh tyres. Pirelli mandates a 25-lap limit per tyre due to Qatar’s harsh kerbs and corners. The safety car leaves 50 laps, setting up two safe 25-lap stints, while a stop under caution saves nine seconds. Verstappen recognises the chance instantly and predicts victory once he exits the pits. He cannot believe McLaren remain out.
Why McLaren refuse to stop
Norris questions his engineer Will Joseph why both cars stay out. Joseph claims stopping removes strategic options later. The real problem is track position: staying out ensures both cars drop behind Verstappen, and overtaking at Lusail remains almost impossible. Team boss Andrea Stella explains they feared others might stay out, which would surrender their leading position. The race proves that anyone staying out eventually loses to cars that pit. McLaren do not justify their decision strongly, but Stella promises a calm and thorough review. He admits there may have been bias in judgement but stresses the team must analyse the mistake fully.
Whispers of another motive
Rivals suspect McLaren wanted to treat both drivers equally. To win, both cars must stop, but Piastri holds pit priority. Norris would need a “double-stack” stop, costing him about five seconds. He already trails Verstappen after losing second at the start, and the delay could drop him behind Kimi Antonelli and Carlos Sainz. Stella says this is a factor but not the main reason. Some insiders claim McLaren favour Norris, citing Hungary and Italy as examples, though Stella and Brown reject this. Brown calls claims “nonsense” and repeats that fairness guides the team.
Classic finale on the horizon
For Formula 1, Qatar delivers an ideal scenario. Three drivers head into the finale with real chances, and excitement rises accordingly. Norris downplays the pressure, saying he approaches Abu Dhabi like any other race. Piastri tries to keep disappointment in perspective after a strong weekend erased a series of setbacks that cost him a 34-point advantage. “It’s not a catastrophe,” he says. “We made a wrong decision, but the world did not end.” He believes challenges strengthen the team. Verstappen, aiming for a fifth consecutive title, enjoys the opportunity, saying he approaches Abu Dhabi with positive energy and no pressure. McLaren now faces serious reflection. Stella recalls past finales where third place has won the championship, including 2007 with Kimi Raikkonen and 2010 with Alonso. He also remembers working with Michael Schumacher through triumphs and setbacks. Stella stresses racing teaches tough lessons but insists McLaren will respond with determination, ready to fight for the title and challenge Verstappen’s dominance.
