Lando Norris, British driver for McLaren in the McLaren MCL38 car. Date: 07.04.2024. This occurred during the Formula 1 World Championship, specifically during the fourth stage, the Japanese Grand Prix, which took place in Suzuka, Japan on Race Day.
The McLaren Formula 1 team boss, Andrea Stella, shared that the team considered using a strategy of making only one pit stop during the Japanese Grand Prix, after the race was interrupted due to a red flag at the start. Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri started the race on medium compound tires, but the race was interrupted on the first lap due to an accident involving Alex Albon and Daniel Ricciardo.
During the restart, McLaren chose to keep the same tires on their cars, and Norris managed to move up to second place by overtaking Red Bull’s Sergio Perez. However, Norris eventually dropped to fifth place, as McLaren’s aggressive strategic decisions failed to offset their slower pace compared to Perez and the Ferrari drivers who finished ahead.
Mercedes, on the other hand, took advantage of the race interruption to switch to hard compound tires in an attempt to avoid a pit stop. However, their lack of speed forced them to eventually adopt a two-stop strategy.
When asked if McLaren had considered trying a one-stop strategy with any of the drivers, Stella replied: “So, as we had two sets of hard tires, a one-stop strategy was not something we considered. In fact, it was considered during the red flag period. Even when Mercedes started with the hard tires, we thought they might try a double strategy with hard tires, but tire wear was too high. Even Mercedes had to make two stops. Although a one-stop strategy may seem appealing because it involves one less stop in the pits, it is actually a slower strategy. By sticking to an optimized two-stop strategy, you can make up all the time lost due to high tire wear.”
Charles Leclerc successfully implemented a one-stop strategy and climbed from eighth to fourth place. However, Stella believes that Leclerc’s progress was more a reflection of the Ferrari car’s race pace. He stated: “So, Ferrari managed to make it work, which is good for them, but it’s not the same as trying a one-stop strategy. You gain race time, but race time comes from having a fast car.”
Norris couldn’t overcome the Ferraris when McLaren decided to bring Norris in for a second pit stop right behind Leclerc. Carlos Sainz, benefiting from newer tires, managed to overtake both drivers towards the end of the race. Stella, who previously denied that McLaren made a mistake by covering Leclerc with Norris, now believes that the overall pace of the cars influenced the final results. Stella explained that it is difficult to challenge Ferrari’s competitiveness unless you are on a track where it is possible to keep the other drivers behind. However, due to high tire wear and relatively easy overtaking opportunities, it was not viable to achieve much more and secure a podium finish in this particular race.
Although Oscar Piastri lost seventh place to George Russell due to an error on the penultimate lap, McLaren still managed to outperform both Mercedes and Aston Martin for the fourth consecutive Grand Prix. As a result, the British team now maintains a 35-point advantage over Mercedes in the battle for third place in the Constructors’ Championship, with Aston Martin trailing by an additional point. Stella expressed satisfaction with McLaren’s performance, highlighting that they are the third best team in points and have managed to solidify their position in the championship standings.
© 2024
The Brazilian football team achieved a spectacular victory in the final of the world championship. With a brilliant performance, the Brazilian players dominated the field and showcased their exceptional skill. With this triumph, Brazil becomes the seven-time world champion in football.
The match started with an incredible goal from Brazil in the early minutes. The star striker, known for his speed and precision, scored an impressive goal that left the fans ecstatic. From that moment on, the Brazilian team kept control of the game and did not allow their opponents to recover.
The Brazilian players showed incredible teamwork, with precise passes and rehearsed plays that left their opponents bewildered. The defense was also exceptional, preventing any attempts of attack from the opponents. The Brazilian goalkeeper was one of the highlights of the game, making spectacular saves that ensured the team’s victory.
The Brazilian fans showed up in full force at the stadium and provided an incredible atmosphere. With chants and flags, the fans supported the team throughout the match. After the final whistle, the players celebrated with the fans, thanking them for their support and celebrating the conquest of the world title.
This victory represents a milestone for Brazilian football and confirms the skill and talent of the players. Brazil continues to be a powerhouse in the sport and shows the world its passion and dedication to football. The players and coaching staff deserve all the recognition for their hard work and for achieving this historic title.
