McLaren faced a tough weekend in Baku, putting their constructors’ title hopes on hold. Oscar Piastri, leading the drivers’ championship by 31 points, had a challenging race and crashed out during both qualifying and the race itself.
Things went south for Piastri even before the race began. He jumped the start and had to stop again, dropping him to the back of the field. Unfortunately, he didn’t last long; just five corners in, he attempted a risky move around Esteban Ocon’s Haas, but lost grip and hit the barrier.
Lando Norris, on the other hand, hoped to capitalize on Piastri’s misfortunes, but he lost a position to Isack Hadjar from Racing Bulls early in the race. Although he managed to pass Hadjar, Norris found himself stuck behind Charles Leclerc from Ferrari.
To make up for lost time, McLaren decided to extend Norris’s first stint before making a pit stop. However, a problem with the right-front wheel gun meant another slow stop, costing him crucial seconds. He returned to the race two seconds behind fellow racers Lawson and Tsunoda, making his recovery even tougher.
Despite having fresher tires, Norris struggled to overtake Tsunoda. Lawson, starting third after a strong qualifying, defended his position well, preventing faster cars from getting past. Norris got stuck in a DRS train and couldn’t find a way around Tsunoda.
This weekend’s challenges illustrate how unpredictable racing can be, highlighting the importance of strategy and execution. Statistics show that pit stop errors can significantly impact a race—drivers often lose valuable positions due to slow stops. As the season progresses, teams must refine their operations to avoid such setbacks.
In social media discussions, fans expressed disappointment over McLaren’s performance, while praising Lawson’s defensive driving. This weekend serves as a reminder of the tough competition in Formula 1, where every second counts.
For further insights into racing strategies, you can check the official F1 website here.
