AR3-GP wrote: ↑02 Jun 2025, 16:46
Watto wrote: ↑02 Jun 2025, 14:33
I think their strategy has been hit and miss this year.
I thought the 3 stopper was pretty good as it put pressure on McLaren I don't think they were expecting, Vanja on twitter had the thought too Max probably went a little too hard too early on the 3rd stop and cooked his tyres if he eased them in it may have had enough to put more pressure on Lando at least
What pressure from behind is Max going to put on a faster car with older tires?
Red Bull was attempting to undercut the Mclarens. That means you push. The only reason that Max was right behind Lando Norris after Mclaren pitted, was because he was pushing and forced Mclaren to react. Mclaren left it late as late as possible, almost too late. Verstappen's lap while Lando Norris was in the pits was full push and he almost pulled it off. What worth was it to go slower, allow Mclaren to stay out longer, and have Lando Norris in a faster car with an even bigger tire offset and a 3-4 second lead?
Mclaren were not late, it turned out they were allowed to run almost Ideal and fastest 2 stop strategy recommended by Pirelli, and normally they at Pirelli get it right these days.

Mclarens stopped on laps 21-22 and 48-49. As for Max his what was supposed to be three stop strategy was far from ideal, meaning not the fastest three stopper. He basically was lapping faster that he should on 2nd and 3rd stint. That forced them stop early. 2nd, brand new set lasted just 13 laps, third medium set lasted 17 laps and Max stopped 3rd time on lap 47. Wasn't the whole point of 3 stop strategy to create tire offset at any stage, the final stint in this case in order to try and do something against much faster car.
I think it was Max again who made the strategy look far better than it really was, by wasting no time overtaking for position, making very decisive unconventional non-DRS assisted moves. Another driver would've lost at least 5 extra seconds overtaking cars and it would not be looking at that rosy.