McLaren emerges as a big loser from the Formula 1 Grand Prix in Qatar. In his analysis, the former racing driver and current TV expert Ralf Schumacher harshly criticized the world constructors’ champion.
“You have to think about what you did,” said Ralf Schumacher on “Sky” about McLaren’s decision not to pit under the safety car at the end of the 7th lap like the competition in order to equip the drivers Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris with new tires: “You threw away the victory.”
In Qatar, the decisive mistake this time was a banal radio command. “It was a simple radio call: ‘Come in.'”
For the TV expert, the problem lies with the strategists: “There are too many mistakes, they often can’t get it done with the superior car. They’re getting in their own way with the Papaya Rules, I’m pretty sure that you’re thinking too much about taking both of them with you.” Instead of relying on a stable order in the escalating world championship fight and using one of the two drivers as a helper against the strong Max Verstappen, McLaren is giving both drivers free rein.
“In a situation like this it doesn’t work. Whoever is making these strategies – it’s not the first or second time it’s happened, it’s actually time to look for a better solution,” said Schumacher clearly. “From my point of view, you have to make a decision now, it can only be like this. Max is there and Max is not joking. Lando needs the help of his teammate. I believe that Lando will be stronger in Abu Dhabi.”
Piastri completely served: “Hard to digest”
Schumacher is particularly critical of the role of team boss Andrea Stella. He takes too much responsibility on himself, so that the engineers’ hands are tied. The ex-driver finds it completely incomprehensible that discussions were taking place at the command post at the same time as the drivers were already rolling past the pits. “The engineer has to keep his hat on. This can’t be done with discussions up front.”
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There is something wrong “in the chain” of decision-makers: “Someone has to wear the hat.”
Bitter for Oscar Piastri: Instead of clinching an almost certain victory in Qatar, he now seems to have left the World Cup train ahead of the showdown in Abu Dhabi, 16 points behind Lando Norris. “We clearly didn’t do it right tonight. That’s honestly hard to digest,” said the Australian, who had to sit on the podium next to race winner Max Verstappen. Before the last race of the season, the Dutchman is twelve points behind Norris.