McLaren boss Andrea Stella has divulged that Oscar Piastri’s opening-lap move on Lando Norris in Formula 1‘s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix was discussed prior to the race.
Norris achieved the podium that he needed to claim a maiden Drivers’ Championship in his title showdown at the Yas Marina Circuit with Max Verstappen and Piastri.
The Briton had lined up on the front row alongside pole-sitter Verstappen, but he slipped to third when Piastri swept around his outside through Turn 9 on the first lap.
Piastri attacking his team-mate came somewhat as a surprise amid the external expectation that the Australian would have been ordered to hold position at the start.
But Stella has revealed that scenario had been discussed in advance with Norris’ blessing, given Piastri was better-placed to push Verstappen on the Hard compound.
“We did discuss [it],” Stella told media including Motorsport Week.
“First of all, we discussed even more than usual that we obviously wanted to have absolutely clean racing in the first lap.
“But we also discussed that with Oscar on [the] Hard tyre, not making life difficult for Oscar.
“To take the second place and then try and attack Verstappen was a strategic option that Lando was supportive [of]. So it was a good and fair overtaking by Oscar.
“But in itself, this is a scenario that we discussed, so it wasn’t the hardest of the battles, because there was a general interest from this point of view.”
Why McLaren split strategies in title decider
Stella highlighted that the decision to split strategies at McLaren also ensured that Verstappen could not attempt to slow his pace to back Norris into the cars behind.
“I think Max had said a couple of times before the race that, ‘I’m going to do my race, I’m going to win it and I will need just some luck’,” the Italian recalled.
“I think that’s what he did. At the same time, with the two McLarens starting with split tyres, it would have made, I think, any attempt to control the race a bit more difficult.
“So, I’m not necessarily that surprised that it didn’t happen, and I think it’s also a good thing that it didn’t happen.
“It was a good race, it was an interesting race, one stop, two stops. The Red Bull proved to be the fastest car once again.”
“So, not surprised in any way, not even surprised that they are finishing the season being probably the best car.”
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