Suzuka, Japan – Red Bull Formula 1 team principal Christian Horner believes that McLaren’s equal status approach with drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri hindered their ability to challenge Max Verstappen in Suzuka. Despite starting behind Verstappen after a stellar qualifying performance, Norris and Piastri were unable to overtake the reigning champion in their quicker McLaren due to the lack of passing opportunities on the track.
During the race, Piastri requested to swap positions with Norris in hopes of taking on Verstappen, feeling he had the speed to do so. However, team boss Andrea Stella decided against the switch, citing concerns about Piastri’s ability to perform better than Norris in the turbulent air behind the Red Bull. Stella noted the challenges of overtaking at Suzuka, emphasizing the need for a significant performance advantage to make a successful pass.
Horner acknowledged McLaren’s advantage of having two competitive cars on the grid, a situation that Red Bull is yet to achieve with Yuki Tsunoda as Verstappen’s new teammate. However, he pointed out that McLaren’s strategy of treating both drivers equally had its drawbacks, making it harder for them to challenge Verstappen. Piastri was brought in for a pit stop earlier than planned due to pressure from behind, aligning Norris’s strategy with Verstappen’s to limit strategic variations.
Reflecting on McLaren’s approach, Horner highlighted the dilemma of letting both drivers compete equally while fighting for the championship, noting the compromises that come with that strategy. When asked if Norris could have outpaced Verstappen with an earlier pit stop, Horner acknowledged the power of undercut strategies in racing. Despite the challenges faced by McLaren, Horner credited Verstappen for maintaining a flawless performance throughout the race weekend, fending off the rapid McLarens behind him.
The Suzuka Grand Prix was a tight contest with limited overtaking opportunities, resulting in most cars finishing in the same order they started. Despite the competitive nature of the McLarens, Verstappen’s impeccable driving allowed him to withstand the pressure and secure victory. Horner commended Verstappen for his exceptional performance, highlighting the need for precision and speed to hold off strong competitors like McLaren.