McLaren boss Andrea Stella has indicated that the team is willing to continue allowing its drivers to run split strategies during the remaining Formula 1 races in 2025.
An engrossing climax to the Hungarian Grand Prix ensued as the closing laps pitted the one-stopping Lando Norris up against team-mate Oscar Piastri on a two-stop.
Norris soaked up Piastri’s late onslaught to achieve a precious win in the championship battle, executing a one-stop race that the team had not thought was possible.
The Briton, having lost places at the start and thus touch with pole-sitter Charles Leclerc and Piastri, accepted the option as his sole chance to get back in contention.
This marked the second successive weekend the McLaren duo diverged on strategy as the previous round in Belgium one week prior saw them end on different tyres.
Piastri prevailed on that occasion as he managed to preserve the less durable Medium compound to the chequered flag with a gap to the Hard-shod Norris in second.
Stella has suggested that McLaren will remain open to Norris and Piastri using alternative strategies over the remaining 10 races, provided neither driver is blindsided.
“We are McLaren Racing. We bring the value of racing into Formula 1, so we want to give great racing for Formula 1,” Stella told media including Motorsport Week.
“We want to give our two drivers the possibility to utilise, express their talent, pursue their aspirations, their personal success, and business to happen within the boundaries of the team interest, and the fairness, the sportsmanship, and the respect for one another.
“For me, this is what I see. When we have a deviating strategy, when we have different options, I think this is part of racing.
“We want to make sure that none of the drivers is surprised, and I think none of the drivers were surprised.
“So far, I can only be very grateful to the way Lando and Oscar interpreted the way we were racing as a team, as a group, which included drivers, and I’m sure this is going to be the same until the end of the season.”
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