McLaren claims ‘missed opportunity’ despite British GP podium
9th July 2024McLaren Team Principal, Andrea Stella has described the British Grand Prix as ‘a missed opportunity’ after the team missed out on a double-podium finish.
Feature image credit: McLaren F1
McLaren were set to leave the iconic circuit with ‘a bittersweet taste’ in their mouths after a challenging weekend at the British GP as rain featured every day across the event.
It was a dry-wet-dry race which saw some drivers take the race lead including eventual race winner, Lewis Hamilton and George Russell for Mercedes plus the two McLarens of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri.
The Woking-based team provisionally had a one-two position in the early mid-stages of the race with Norris leading ahead of Piastri. However, as the conditions changed, the team encountered strategic mistakes, ultimately costing them the race win.
Reflecting on the race, McLaren’s Team Principal, Andrea Stella said:
“The race today was intense and we leave this weekend with a bittersweet taste. We knew rain would be a factor at some stage, and several drivers were in contention to win at different points in the afternoon.
“I think we looked very strong when the rain started to fall, with both drivers moving to the front of the field. We then didn’t capitalise on that, and it looks like a missed opportunity. We’ll review the calls we made – some were good, others could have been better.
“Once again, it’s important that we’re in contention for podiums and victories, and perhaps today the difference was a matter of small details in the execution. Our pace across this triple-header has been encouraging, and we’re looking forward to future races.”
McLaren had the race in their control as the first burst of rain fell on the circuit with Norris ahead of Piastri, in a provisional 1-2 position, from lap 20 to lap 26.
However, the team opted to bring in only Norris when the track became too wet for the slicks, Piastri was left out on track for an extra lap. The Austrailian struggled for pace as a result of the extra rotation of Silverstone and was nearly overtaken by Norris as he came into the pits.
The team then switched their two drivers back onto the slicks, when the conditions allowed, but the damage was done. In the end, Norris finished the race in third to notch up another home podium under his belt whilst Piastri completed the race down in fourth.
In hindsight regarding McLaren’s strategy call, Piastri dubbed the call to double-stack or to stay out as ‘one of the hardest decisions’ the team can make and admitted they ‘got it wrong.’ The Australian driver said:
“The call to double stack or to stay out is one of the hardest decisions you can make, and unfortunately, we just got it wrong, however we’ll take it back and review to see what we can learn from it.
“Outside of that, we made strong decisions today and it’s encouraging to see we have the pace to be at the front. We’ll take a week to reset ahead of the double-header.”
Read more Formula 1 here:
- Wolff claims Hamilton win as a ‘fairytale’ at British GP
- Lewis Hamilton sets new F1 precedent by winning race after 300th race
- Hamilton secured 104th win in changeable conditions at British GP
- Stroll given reprimand in British GP Qualifying
- George Russell leads British 1-2-3 after securing pole position
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Hi, I’m Kamron. I created ApexMotorsports.co.uk in the dying embers of the 2021 Formula 1 world championship. It allowed me freedom to write whatever I wanted to write about which was all things motorsports, my passion.
I have put a lot of effort in over the years to keep this website in its best shape and I’ve loved seeing the brand grow consistently, month-on-month, year-on-year. My ambition is to keep watching this brand grow into a primary outlet of news for all things motorsports whilst fueling my desire to pursue a career in sports journalism, specialising in motorsports.
Kamron Kent
Hi, I'm Kamron. I created ApexMotorsports.co.uk in the dying embers of the 2021 Formula 1 world championship. It allowed me freedom to write whatever I wanted to write about which was all things motorsports, my passion. I have put a lot of effort in over the years to keep this website in its best shape and I've loved seeing the brand grow consistently, month-on-month, year-on-year. My ambition is to keep watching this brand grow into a primary outlet of news for all things motorsports whilst fueling my desire to pursue a career in sports journalism, specialising in motorsports.
