• Home
  • News
  • F1
  • Did McLaren lose the Japanese Grand Prix because of its strategy?
F1

Did McLaren lose the Japanese Grand Prix because of its strategy?

Unable to get the better of Max Verstappen, the McLaren drivers had to settle for the top spots on the podium at the Japanese Grand Prix. Would a more favorable outcome have been possible with a different strategy or team orders?

Published 06/04/2025 à 15:33

Dorian Grangier

  Comment on this article! 6

Did McLaren lose the Japanese Grand Prix because of its strategy?

© Eric Alonso / DPPI

For the first time in 2025, McLaren were beaten in a Grand Prix. Max Verstappen is the one that put an end to the hegemony of the British team, both in qualifying and in the race (excluding the Sprint, of course). The Dutchman, who took a masterful pole position on Saturday, was able to contain the two papaya single-seaters and controlled the race from start to finish, from pole to victory. Although impressive at the start of the weekend in terms of race pace, the two McLarens were unable to find an opening on the reigning world champion and had to settle for 2nd and 3rd place on the podium, respectively for Lando Norris et Oscar piastri.

McLaren's strategy too cautious?

But wasn't there

Autohebdo Store / Flash Sales

See the shop

Dorian Grangier

A young journalist nostalgic for the motorsport of yesteryear. Raised on the exploits of Sébastien Loeb and Fernando Alonso.

This article is for subscribers only.

You have 90% left to discover.


I'm subscribing to read more!

Already subscribed?
Sign in


  • Up to -50% savings!
  • Unlimited Premium articles
  • The digital magazine from 20 p.m. every Monday
  • Access to all issues since 2012 on the AUTOhebdo app

Comment on this article! 6

Continue reading on these topics:

F1 Japanese Grand Prix Lando Norris Oscar piastri
Read also

Comments

6 Comment (s)

Yves-Henri RANDIER

07/04/2025 at 12:38 a.m.

Everything is said in the 2 comments below, nothing to add ... except the fact that watching the video on delay via streaming avoids getting up early for not much! Let's hope that Bahrain generates more spectacle on the track

V

vincent moyet

07/04/2025 at 11:36 a.m.

That's why the drivers say the race was decided in qualifying. It's a bit like Monaco, but faster: no real overtaking zone, narrow circuit. Normally, you have to overtake in the pits, but since the surface doesn't wear down the tires, strategy is pointless. Verstappen understood this perfectly; it was a golden opportunity for victory; he just had to start in front.

E

eric stevens

07/04/2025 at 12:05 a.m.

On this circuit, you start in front, you stay in front! Senna understood this in 1990! No straights, minimalist DRS, the drivers have fun but the spectators fall asleep! "Strategy" doesn't change anything, we talk about it to fill paper

T

Thierry Pingret

06/04/2025 at 07:47 a.m.

whatever, nothing could have prevented Verstappen's victory the race was decided in practice

2

L

Lucas Paul

06/04/2025 at 06:34 a.m.

Yes, they are a bit too picky in their decisions, and wait too long, why for example let Lando come in at the same time as Max, when Max's tires are changed before Lando's.....

N

Navel

06/04/2025 at 03:58 a.m.

Yes, they should have swapped positions between Norris and Piastri.

Write a comment