McLaren stands by their decision to pit Lando Norris during the F1 Sao Paulo Grand Prix, without any regrets.
Norris, who started from pole position, aimed to capitalize on title rival Max Verstappen’s lowly 17th starting position to enhance his championship chances, but the race didn’t go as he had hoped.
After losing the lead to George Russell from Mercedes right at the start, both drivers faced challenges when they pitted for fresh intermediate tires just as a Virtual Safety Car ended. Shortly after, a red flag further hindered their progress, allowing those who had remained on the track, including Verstappen, to make a free tire change.
Verstappen took full advantage of this situation, executing a brilliant comeback to win the race, while Norris crossed the finish line in sixth place, effectively ending his title aspirations.
“There are several aspects we need to evaluate on our side,” said McLaren team principal Andrea Stella in an interview with Viaplay.
“We felt it was the right decision to pit given the heavy rainfall, and we don’t regret that.”
Stella noted, “It was a cautious pit stop. Ultimately, it worked out for those behind us who opted to stay out, and the red flag reset the race. While we have lessons to learn, there are also positive takeaways.”
He added, “Starting from pole, you always aim to finish in first place. The race was quite eventful, and certain events didn’t go our way, leading to a finish well off the podium. Still, we secured good points.”
Stella emphasized the significance of remaining competitive, particularly in the constructors’ championship, stating, “It’s vital that we outscore Ferrari, which strengthens our position for the final stretch of the season.”
Norris remarked that Verstappen “got a bit lucky” due to a rule that “no one agrees with,” insisting it would have been “foolish” to stay out in worsening conditions.
“I trust the team’s decisions, and they trust me,” Norris told Sky Sports F1. “It was simply unlucky. I’m not worried about hindsight; that’s just luck for them, nothing more. They [Red Bull] benefited from a rule that no one supports. They might agree with it today, but all drivers have opposed it in the past.”
He concluded, “It worked out for them today, but it could have benefited us if we had just stayed out. However, that would be a foolish thing to consider. It was just a bit of bad luck today, nothing more. Of course, it’s disappointing.”
