McLaren Considers Strategy Shift: May Prioritize Lead Driver Amid F1 2024 Title Chase

McLaren might adjust their lead driver strategy as the F1 2024 season progresses

Should McLaren emerge as contenders for the championship later in the year, they may focus their efforts on supporting one of their drivers over the other.

McLaren has acknowledged the possibility of reconsidering their stance on not designating a primary driver as the 2024 F1 season progresses.

Oscar Piastri secured his first grand prix win, finishing ahead of his McLaren teammate Lando Norris for a one-two finish in Hungary. However, the achievement was eclipsed by a contentious dispute regarding team directives.

McLaren consistently requested Norris to return the leading position to Piastri, following a strategy call to have Norris pit before Piastri in the last series of pit stops, which led to Norris gaining an advantage over his teammate. After a number of objections and intense communications over the team radio, the British driver finally complied, relinquishing the lead with just three laps remaining.

Norris currently holds the runner-up position in the championship standings, trailing the current world champion, Max Verstappen, by 76 points. Meanwhile, Piastri is in fifth place, lagging behind by an additional 40 points. Given Norris's proximity to Verstappen in the rankings, there were whispers that McLaren might have considered allowing him to win to narrow the distance even more.

Stella mentioned that the approach might need to change in the future, based on how the championship scenario unfolds in the next few months.

"Considering we have Oscar and Lando on our team, we're fortunate enough not to have to choose a primary driver," he shared with reporters, including Crash.net, in Hungary.

This approach can make things easier for individuals like me, but it can also lead to frustration among the whole team, undermining our drive and the fundamental values that guide our racing strategy.

"We compete with integrity, ensuring that if any of our two drivers earns a position based on their performance, we safeguard that outcome. However, if we're in the final few races and one driver has a significant chance at the championship, we might reconsider this approach."

Stella, whose squad has now surpassed Ferrari to take second place in the constructors' standings, further remarked, "However, what I anticipate is the other driver approaching me and offering his assistance against the other competitor involved in the championship race, indicating his willingness to help.

"I believe that by handling situations like today's in a just manner, as I feel we've accomplished, you cultivate a certain philosophy. It's understandable that this could fuel speculation and become fodder for the media. That's to be expected. Such is the nature of the sport."

"Frankly, I had a great time this week just being an observer, a supporter, experiencing these events even when I wasn't part of Formula 1. That's perfectly reasonable.

"I kindly ask for recognition that our actions today were simply in pursuit of fairness. It's important for the whole McLaren team to understand this, and I hope our supporters do too."

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