Schumacher Urges McLaren: “Don’t Underestimate Verstappen!”
After the Dutch Grand Prix, McLaren drivers Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris were leading in the championship standings. Piastri had a healthy 34-point lead over Norris and was 104 points ahead of Max Verstappen. With nine races remaining, it appeared that the championship battle would be between the McLaren teammates. However, the situation shifted significantly over the following races.
In the last eight races, Verstappen closed the gap and is now ahead of Piastri by four points. Although he has reduced his deficit against Norris, Verstappen still trails by twelve points with one race left to go. His victory in Qatar was aided by a strategic misstep from McLaren, who failed to bring both drivers in during an early safety car period. This allowed the four-time world champion to secure a fairly unchallenged win, while Piastri and Norris finished in second and fourth place, respectively.
Schumacher’s Take on McLaren’s Strategy
Ralf Schumacher recently commented on McLaren’s decision-making, which proved to be pivotal in their missed victory in Qatar. He noted, “It’s concerning to see what they did. They threw away the win.” Schumacher suggested that trying to advance both drivers in that situation did not work effectively. He expressed curiosity about whether McLaren would devise a different strategy for the upcoming race in Abu Dhabi.
- Too many mistakes hinder McLaren’s performance.
- The so-called “papaya rules” may be limiting their success.
- Schumacher believes it’s time for McLaren to find better solutions.
Schumacher also issued a straightforward piece of advice to McLaren, stating, “A decision must be made now.” He emphasized the presence of Verstappen as a formidable force. According to him, Norris will require assistance from his teammate to enhance his chances in Abu Dhabi. Schumacher is confident that Norris will come back stronger in the final race.
Looking Ahead to Abu Dhabi
As the finale approaches, McLaren faces critical choices regarding strategy and teamwork. With Verstappen in the lead, Piastri and Norris must navigate the challenges ahead carefully. The outcome will determine the championship’s fate and the future direction of McLaren’s racing strategy.
