2025 McLaren F1 Team

[FittingMechanics]

Monza seems unlikely, it would require double 1-2 with Ferrari winning very few points.

But Baku seems to be easy.

[PikeStance]

We won, but we lost! Four 1-2's in a row, but it kinda sucks! I honestly only found out in 2025 that some folks have a preference in which driver wins. Me, I'm just counting the poles, wins and 1-2 finishes! From the way it played out, I feel Lando's side were racing Leclerc and Russell for P2, I'm still surprised how little ground Oscar made with the undercut attempt. I thought he'd be at least on Leclerc's gearbox if not ahead, but Leclerc was quite comfortably ahead. Anybody have any info on his Outlap after his first pitstop?

Yeah, I do not get it either. Drivers are a means to an end. If you want McLaren 1-2, why on Earth would you care which driver is 1 or 2? All the marbles are in the WCC, the WDC gives you nothing but bragging rights.

Serious question, if your "favorite driver" leaves the team, what do you do? You follow him, or do you adopt a new driver? If the latter, why bother having a "favorite" driver? The craziness happens with training camp in the NFL. You have these jokers who have become fans of certain rookies. They argued with great zest for them, and 75% of them will be out of the league in two or three years. This is the same irrationality. I pull for whoever makes us a better team.

[PikeStance]

People are confusing arguments. No one stated that a one-stop was a "Hail Mary" approach to the race. Norris was out of contention for the win. Given the circumstances, the one-stop was a "Hail Mary" for Norris to be back in contention for the race win. A two-stopper was limited to third at best.
Will this end the red herring argument? Who knows, but there it is.

[Watto]

Yep. I don't know how you can be critical of Lando/McLaren for this. Oscar was given the option to one stop at least twice once before the pit stop once after the first stop. He didn't commit to either.

Going by radio too Landos plan A minus 5 laps almost when Charles game in so that forced them to bring in Oscar to protect from the undercut otherwise it drrrf Lando was going to undercut. I don't think their original intent at that stage was to to bring Oscar in but can see why - hindsight sure you could argue.. Lando stayed out I think even then it was more likely a chance to finish 2nd. But credit to Lando he made it work.

I suspect roles reversed Oscar would have done the same in Landos position

Had say Charles can not Ferrari'ed itself, and CL won. People would have argued why didn't they split strategies to try and beat Charles who Oscar wasn't really making any inroads into