Despite McLaren and Lando Norris challenging Red Bull and Max Verstappen, they are missing out on wins due to a lack of decisiveness.
For the fifth time in seven races, Lando Norris and McLaren were close to clinching a victory but fell short again due to errors and misjudgments. Norris expressed frustration, blaming himself for the late pit stop decision for dry tires, which cost him the lead.
“I’m tired of saying I should have done better,” Norris lamented, reflecting on a podium finish that felt like a missed opportunity rather than a triumph. “We should have won today. Finishing third isn’t good enough.”
McLaren’s turnaround over the past year has been impressive, positioning them as serious contenders through rapid development. However, they’ve struggled to capitalize on their potential, with several decisions at Silverstone likely costing them points and possibly a win. One critical error was not double-stacking Oscar Piastri in the pits during worsening rain, a decision team principal Andrea Stella admitted was driven by greed.
“We should have been more patient and accepted the time loss with the double-stack,” Stella explained. “Hoping that one extra lap wouldn’t hurt us cost more than we anticipated.”
Additionally, both Stella and Norris acknowledged they chose the wrong tire compound (soft) for the final stint after deliberating too long, and Norris overshot his marks during the pit stop.
This follows a series of costly decisions, including Norris’s aggressive battle for the lead in Austria and a compromised sprint race. In Spain, a poor start from pole meant fighting back to second place as Verstappen narrowly won.
Stella noted that racing at the front highlights areas for improvement, something McLaren has faced since Norris’s first victory in Miami. He believes the team, compared to seasoned winners like Red Bull and Mercedes, is still developing.
“They are experienced with top-level racing in changing conditions,” Stella said. “We are still building towards that level. Our opportunity will come soon, and we need to be prepared.”
Despite the setbacks, McLaren is a serious championship contender for the first time in over a decade. With Sergio Pérez struggling at Red Bull, McLaren has a shot at their first constructors’ title since 1998. They’ve learned how to win; now they need to learn how to sustain it.
