McLaren's near miss: Did they almost hand the championship to Red Bull? Former Haas team principal Guenther Steiner has issued a stark warning to McLaren, suggesting their approach to managing Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri in the recent Formula 1 season was a 'big risk' that could have backfired spectacularly. But here's where it gets controversial...
Steiner believes that McLaren's strategy of allowing both drivers to compete equally throughout the season inadvertently aided Max Verstappen's championship bid. He argues that had McLaren prioritized one driver after the summer break – hypothetically, Piastri – Verstappen might not have been in contention, potentially wrapping up the title much earlier.
The heart of the matter: Steiner's perspective is that McLaren's decision to not fully back either Norris or Piastri created an opening for Red Bull. He suggests that this approach was a gamble, keeping the championship exciting for fans but ultimately putting McLaren at risk.
Norris ultimately clinched the title by a razor-thin margin of just two points, marking the closest finish since the dramatic seasons of 2007 and 2008.
Red Bull's resurgence in the latter part of the year, fueled by upgrades and the expertise of Laurent Mekies, saw Verstappen regain race-winning form.
The crucial question: Steiner directly implies that McLaren's actions were a gift to Red Bull, stating that without McLaren's approach, Verstappen wouldn't have had a chance to fight for the championship. He believes that McLaren's decision to keep both drivers on equal footing after the summer break was a significant factor in allowing Verstappen to remain in the title race.
Steiner is concerned about the long-term implications of McLaren's driver lineup, considering both Norris and Piastri to be exceptionally talented. He foresees potential difficulties if McLaren is again fighting for the title and neither driver clearly establishes themselves as superior.
The bottom line: Steiner's argument raises a fascinating point about team strategy and the delicate balance between supporting both drivers and maximizing the team's chances of winning. Do you agree with Steiner's assessment, or do you think McLaren's approach was justified? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
