P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Our team give their take on McLaren’s strategic hesitance in the Qatar GP and what it means for the 2025 F1 title fight with one round to go
The 2025 Formula 1 season will feature a thrilling three-way championship showdown in the final race, thanks to McLaren’s strategic hesitance at the Qatar Grand Prix and another victory by Max Verstappen. The question arises whether McLaren’s actions were a result of carelessness or the team struggling to be fair to both drivers. With just 16 points separating the top three drivers in the championship, the stakes are high for the finale. McLaren’s adherence to “papaya rules” may have cost them the championship, as their decisions allowed Norris to maintain his lead but impacted Piastri. The aftermath of McLaren’s decision-making process was viewed as wrong in the moment and disastrous in hindsight, potentially jeopardizing both drivers’ chances. Despite the complexities, Norris still holds the upper hand going into the final race, unless McLaren’s strategic dilemmas resurface.
