McLaren has made it clear that their top priority this season isn’t the F1 Drivers’ Championship but locking down the Constructors’ title, according to team principal Andrea Stella. While Lando Norris’s title hopes dwindled with a sixth-place finish in Brazil, McLaren’s strategy remains firmly fixed on the team’s overall points total.
Although Norris took pole in Sao Paulo, a masterful drive from Max Verstappen brought the Red Bull star from 17th to first, all but sealing his individual championship lead with a 62-point advantage. While McLaren’s chances of a double title diminished, they gained crucial ground in the Constructors’ standings over Red Bull and Ferrari, now holding a 36-point lead with three races left.
“For us, the Constructors’ Championship was always the priority,” Stella emphasized. “Even when considering support for one driver, it never outweighed our commitment to maximize team points.”
Stella’s outlook on the upcoming races highlights Qatar and Abu Dhabi as favorable tracks for McLaren, while he expects Las Vegas to lean more toward Ferrari’s strengths. Despite Verstappen’s impending title win, McLaren’s goals remain undeterred as they press for team victory.
“Mathematically, we’re still in it,” Stella said, adding that McLaren’s target remains simple: “winning races” with Norris and Oscar Piastri.
Addressing Norris’s struggles with tire lock-ups during Brazil’s restart, Stella dispelled any notion that pressure was to blame, instead pointing to car performance as the underlying issue.
“From the outside, it may look like there was an error, but really, it’s about the car’s handling under certain conditions,” he explained. “We were enjoying this title quest, but pressure? Not at all.”
With just three races to go, McLaren’s commitment to the Constructors’ title showcases a team-driven focus, primed to keep fans on edge as they chase down the biggest prize in Formula 1.
