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Doha, Qatar: McLaren team chief Andrea Stella admitted his team made a costly strategic blunder yesterday that cost his title-chasing drivers a victory and a podium finish at the Qatar Grand Prix.
McLaren’s decision not to pit under an early safety car intervention when every other team pitted both drivers wrecked their hopes as Red Bull’s four-time world champion Max Verstappen took control and claimed his 70th career victory.
The Dutchman moved within 12 points of Lando Norris at the top of the drivers’ title race, four ahead of luckless Australian Oscar Piastri who looked certain to win until derailed by McLaren’s blunder.
“It was a decision not to pit and in fairness we didn’t expect everyone else to pit,’ said Stella.
“Obviously, once everyone pitted, it makes that the right thing to do.
“When you have the lead car, you don’t know what the others are going to do. The main reason was related to not expecting everyone else to pit so it was a decision.
“And as a matter of fact it wasn’t the correct decision.”
