2025 McLaren F1 Team

[Badger]

For Max he might prefer Lando in P2 because he knows he won't take any risks, Oscar in P2 could get spicy in T1. Oscar from P3 begs the question if he will be allowed to attack Lando at the start. He should be if McLaren are true to their words, provided he doesn't take big risks with Lando.

[search]

But will Max go full speed or try to back Lando at T1?? Or continue to back him up further into the race..

I really don't get these ideas of backing up anyone. I din't think this is realistic.

I think Verstappen will try. Maybe even attract some other cars to undercut, even if it means he temporarily loses positions as well.

McLaren can prevent this by pitting Piastri early, but no idea if they would do that.

[mwillems]

But will Max go full speed or try to back Lando at T1?? Or continue to back him up further into the race..

I really don't get these ideas of backing up anyone. I din't think this is realistic.

If you're desperate, a title is on the line and just going fast isnt enough, then what else can you do.

You think he'll accept defeat? Im not so sure.

[Badger]

But will Max go full speed or try to back Lando at T1?? Or continue to back him up further into the race..

I really don't get these ideas of backing up anyone. I din't think this is realistic.

Max already did it in T1 Austin to get Leclerc ahead of Norris. If the opportunity is there he will try it, he has to. As for race pace I expect he will try to keep the field compressed if he leads after the start.

[mwillems]

Nico giving his opinion that it is Max best chance tomorrow and will need to do it.

George also saying the same. And George says he doesnt care about the title. He will fight those in front to end on a high.

[FittingMechanics]

I would say to Piastri that he will be given chance to fight Verstappen if we make a gap to P4. Just keep the start clean.

[SilviuAgo]

For the first time, I’m not upset about P2 and P3 on the grid. Ideally, we would have had a grid with a McLaren front row and Max somewhere far behind, but let’s be serious — those three are on the same level and it was always going to be hard to get a different outcome.

If I could choose an alternative scenario where the McLarens take the first two spots, this would be it: Max, Lando, and Oscar. We don’t need a driver who, as we saw in Abu Dhabi last year, tries the kind of start where he ended up hitting Oscar. Plus, Lando needs to be smart and look out for his own interests. This race can be won with a podium, not with P1.

So I’m curious to see tomorrow what other games the team with four drivers on the grid will come up with, after using Yuki so cynically — the same driver they threw away like a bad tooth. And don’t tell me Lawson or Lindblad are faster than Yuki. That whole ‘reserve driver’ thing is a cheap joke.

[CHT]

I would say to Piastri that he will be given chance to fight Verstappen if we make a gap to P4. Just keep the start clean.

Oscar's job for tomorrow is to ensure Lando finish on the podium.

[FittingMechanics]

Honestly this should be hard to lose, but critical thing will be that Norris cannot crash or be forced off. I don't think Mercedes or Ferrari will have race pace to compete.

But even with that, it is not impossible that we have a winning pace.

We need clean T1 and then it will come.

[mwillems]

I would say to Piastri that he will be given chance to fight Verstappen if we make a gap to P4. Just keep the start clean.

I dont think they can do that, if he gets Max and Norris has a mishap then it favours Oscar.

I expect this is now just down to the drivers and the team will just try to referee, if that has any affect, we'll see.

I'm going to be very nervous.

[FittingMechanics]

I would say to Piastri that he will be given chance to fight Verstappen if we make a gap to P4. Just keep the start clean.

I dont think they can do that, if he gets Max and Norris has a mishap then it favours Oscar.

I expect this is now just down to the drivers and the team will just try to referee, if that has any affect, we'll see.

I'm going to be very nervous.

But if Norris has a mishap then we want Piastri to be favored.

Best case for Norris is Piastri in P1, then he can be P5.

[mwillems]

Im not sure i understand. I just mean they are free to race. If Norris gets into trouble they won't need to favour anyone, it'd be decided for them.

[mwillems]

Apart from maybe needing Oscar to drop back, I can't see the team doing anything bar trying to keep it sane.

[Danzo84]

Would it not be in mclarens best interest to let piastri past norris as verstappen would have to drive faster as he cant allow piastri to beat him, taking away his ability to back the pack up, also if piastri does take 1st place it puts mclaren in the box seat for the championship in case norris has issues

[Darth-Piekus]

One last race tomorrow. Let's get the podium and finish with the double. How's the race pace for each competitor and those behind us?

Hopefully they won't make me regret my decision to give F1 a last chance.