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McLaren Breathes a Sigh of Relief as Red Bull Avoids High-Stakes Gamble on Verstappen

James Taylor by James Taylor
November 11, 2025
in Motorsports
Reading Time: 2 mins read
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McLaren Breathes a Sigh of Relief as Red Bull Avoids High-Stakes Gamble on Verstappen
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Max Verstappen’s Brazilian Grand Prix Performance Sparks Relief for McLaren as Red Bull Avoids Major Gamble

In an exhilarating showcase at the Brazilian Grand Prix, Max Verstappen turned heads yet again, clawing his way from the pit lane to snag a commendable P3 finish. However, the real fireworks were ignited behind the scenes at McLaren, where team principal Andrea Stella expressed palpable relief after Red Bull chose not to take a significant risk that could have altered the race’s outcome.

Starting from the pit lane, Verstappen faced the challenge of an early pit stop due to an unfortunate puncture, forcing him to swap out his hard tyres for mediums. As the race unfolded, he made a second pit stop on lap 34, cycling into the lead as Lando Norris completed his final stop on lap 50, setting the stage for a potential showdown. However, Red Bull’s decision to pit Verstappen for a third time on the soft compound tyres ultimately secured a podium finish but left McLaren’s Stella breathing a sigh of relief.

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Stella candidly remarked on the situation, stating, “First of all, I was hoping [Verstappen would pit] because it made our life a little bit easier. But jokes [aside], today the level of degradation was very high. And at some stage, I think the tyres just ran out of rubber. They knew at Red Bull that it would have been quite a significant gamble to go to the end with the same set.” This admission highlights the tension and strategy that permeated the race, as the teams navigated the precarious balance of risk and reward.

The decision by Red Bull to dramatically alter Verstappen’s car setup, relegating him to the pit lane due to a disappointing qualifying session, became a pivotal point in the race. Stella opined that had Verstappen not encountered qualifying troubles, he would have been a formidable contender for victory. “Staying on the point of Red Bull, they definitely took advantage of having new tyres, new medium, new soft,” he noted. “But at the same time, they showed a performance and a pace in the race that is meaningful. Without the situation yesterday in qualifying, I think Verstappen would have been there for the victory.”

The São Paulo Grand Prix not only showcased the resilience of Verstappen but reinforced the strategic depth of the teams involved. McLaren’s relief is palpable, and it begs the question: what might have been if Red Bull had chosen to gamble? As discussions swirl around Lando Norris’ dominating performance and Oscar Piastri’s latest challenges, the true drama of the race lies in the decisions made—or not made—by the teams. With the championship battle intensifying, every strategic choice will be scrutinized as teams gear up for the next showdown.

Tags: 1958-formula-1-season2019-red-bull-crandon-world-cup2025-formula-1-season2025-mclaren-f1-championshipLando Norrismax-verstappen-enOscar Piastri
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