“Everyone is pissed off”
Strategy disaster in the World Cup fight: McLaren boss becomes clear
November 30, 2025 – 7:40 p.mReading time: 1 min.
At the race in Qatar, McLaren made a serious mistake – and gave victory to World Cup competitor Max Verstappen. Those responsible for the team find clear words.
McLaren boss Zak Brown has admitted a “huge mistake” in decision-making after the disappointing Qatar Grand Prix. Because when all cars came into the pits to change tires during the safety car phase after Nico Hülkenberg’s accident on the seventh lap, the McLaren drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri stayed outside. That took revenge and Max Verstappen (Netherlands/Red Bull) took victory.
“We didn’t expect everyone to come in,” said team boss Andrea Stella. “Oscar was infallible, we threw away his victory and Lando’s podium place,” said Brown on Sky: “We made the wrong decision and are all pissed off at the moment.”
Norris would have been Formula 1 world champion with a victory in Qatar, but only finished fourth. Piastri had to settle for second place. The World Cup decision will now be made at the finale in Abu Dhabi: Norris leads the classification by twelve points over Verstappen and 16 over Piastri.
“It’s tough, we have to trust that the team will make the right decision. It’s a poker game, this time we didn’t make the right decision,” said Norris: “It’s not our best day, but it’s okay.”