McLaren boss Andrea Stella has stated that McLaren will not change its approach in philosophy or principles in the Qatar Grand Prix, despite it being a potential Formula 1 title decider.
The Woking-based squad will see its two drivers, Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris, line up on the front row, the Brit 22 points ahead.
Norris will win the title, should he emerge victorious, but if Piastri – who starts on pole – wins, then he will be able to take the title down to a final-round showdown in Abu Dhabi next week.
Outsider Max Verstappen is also just three points behind Piastri, and is lurking behind them in third. He, too, can keep his own hopes alive should he overcome both in the race.
The team has balanced its ‘team first’ principles throughout 2025, as well as the title aspirations of both its drivers, triggering debate throughout the campaign.
But when asked if there would be any ‘additional papaya rules’, or how the situation between Piastri and Norris might be managed, Stella ruled out any pivot.
“I think we are starting with a question that is a very short answer, there will be no changes,” he told media including Motorsport Week.
“Our approach is not really sensitive to how close you are to the finish line, because it’s valid in general, and it doesn’t require any adjustment until both drivers are in the quest for the championship.”
Stella explains how Qatar provides great leveller for both McLaren drivers
Since the summer break, it has been one continuous downward trajectory for Piastri, having taken only one win and one subsequent podium, seeing both Norris and Verstappen eat into his points advantage.
Amid Norris’ spike in form, Stella previously explained that the Brit came into a period of the calendar that contained circuits that suited his own driving style more than Piastri’s.
The Italian indicated that the Losail International Circuit is perhaps a leveller for both men, proving that there is genuine equality between Norris and Piastri mentally, and on this occasion, on track in general.
“Yeah, I think even when we were commenting on Oscar struggling a little bit, I’ve always emphasised that there are technical aspects in the way the drivers exploit the grip available and the potential in the car,” he said.
“And here in Qatar, we go back to the category of circuits with high grip, and in the category of circuits of high grip, I think Oscar is in his most natural way of driving the car, and he can really maximise the potential available.
“While we have said before that in circuits like Mexico, Austin, then in that case you need to, especially in terms of braking and rotation of the car, you need to start to slide the rear axle, so this is almost kind of a different technique of driving a Formula 1 car, and it’s a technique that Oscar is developing, but actually he’s in the category where Lando excels.
“So from this point of view, our two drivers are complementary in terms of where they have a sweet spot, he’s from a natural driving style, and I don’t think it has much to do with mindset, mentality, Oscar has been very solid from a mental point of view, through how this is just a technical matter, we talk about professional sport at the highest level, and at this level when you kind of give up one per cent from a technical point of view, then you may lose a few positions because the competition is very strong. So technical, not mindset.”
READ MORE – Oscar Piastri heads McLaren 1-2 to take pole position for F1 Qatar GP
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