Then in Brazil after a 1-2 finish in the sprint race, polesitter Norris finished sixth after being overtaken by Verstappen in the puts, with McLaren’s communication also criticised.“But you have to build up to that. “From everybody watching on from the outside you look at what Max and Red Bull have been doing, and what […]
Then in Brazil after a 1-2 finish in the sprint race, polesitter Norris finished sixth after being overtaken by Verstappen in the puts, with McLaren’s communication also criticised.“But you have to build up to that.
“From everybody watching on from the outside you look at what Max and Red Bull have been doing, and what Mercedes did before that.“It seems like a strange thing to say but it’s true, you have to build the confidence to be able to make those snap decisions.“If you look back over this season there’s been quite a few occurrences where McClaren have probably, if they’re honest, left points on the table because they maybe hesitated for a moment in terms of making a decision.”
“You sort of think: ‘Here’s McLaren now with a great car, why can’t they just deliver the same?’“McLaren are still kind of finding their feet in that regard and they’re learning how to win again.“I can tell you from having been through this, from personal experience, it doesn’t necessarily just come naturally,” Priestley told the Fuelling Around podcast about McLaren’s rise.
The team’s self-imposed Papaya Rules made it clear how grand prix winners Norris and Piastri should behave against each other.Marc Priestley, a former McLaren mechanic, insists that the failed attempt to dethrone Verstappen is a valuable step on the journey to delivering a first drivers’ title since 1998.The philosophy was tweaked in the latter half of the season, to prioritise Norris’ hope of edging Verstappen.McLaren’s philosophy to avoid naming a No1 driver came under scrutiny last season.
Lando Norris cost by McLaren errors?
McLaren’s mistakes which cost Lando Norris last year have been highlighted by their ex-mechanic.
Their preference to treat Norris and teammate Oscar Piastri equally was criticised when it became clear that their more experienced driver had a shot at the F1 title.Norris fell short against Red Bull’s Max Verstappen in his bid for the F1 drivers’ championship in 2024.Notably at Silverstone, Norris was leading before the final pit stops only for Lewis Hamilton to undercut him and win the race.“Red Bull and Max have got this recent history where they’ve got so much confidence and self belief. They can make decisions quickly and instinctively on the pit wall – typically, they are generally right.But their strategy also came under the microscope, with mistakes made at several rounds.
He was powered by the fastest car in Formula 1, as McLaren sensationally overtook Red Bull in the development race to win the constructors’ prize.
