McLaren team principal Andrea Stella has revealed how strategic coordination between Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri’s race engineers played a crucial role in outmaneuvering Lewis Hamilton during the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
The tactical maneuver was part of a broader strategy that saw McLaren cement its early dominance in the F1 2025 season, with Oscar Piastri securing his fourth win in five races and claiming the top spot in the Drivers’ Championship for the first time in his career.
Piastri, who now leads teammate Norris by 10 points, executed a flawless race in Jeddah to extend McLaren’s winning streak and put pressure on rivals Ferrari and Red Bull.
“We knew that getting past Hamilton would require more than just raw pace,” Stella said. “The engineers worked closely to ensure Piastri and Norris could apply pressure in a synchronized way, maximizing DRS zones and exploiting Mercedes’ weaker tire degradation.”
Teamwork Behind the Scenes
The behind-the-scenes collaboration between the McLaren garage was instrumental in navigating Hamilton’s defensive driving. With Norris starting from P10 after crashing out in Q3, and Piastri chasing from the front, the engineers coordinated strategic tire and pace data between the two drivers to disrupt Mercedes’ rhythm.
“We were targeting optimal gaps and moments to strike,” Stella added. “Our simulations suggested Hamilton would be vulnerable on laps 17–19, and that’s exactly when we pounced.”
Norris Recovers Strongly After Qualifying Crash
Despite a disappointing qualifying session that saw Lando Norris crash in early Q3, the British driver made an impressive recovery on race day, finishing P4, just over a second behind Charles Leclerc, who earned Ferrari’s first podium of the 2025 season.
“We made the best of what we had,” Norris said. “I felt the car had great pace, and the team’s guidance on when and where to push made the difference.”
Championship Standings Heat Up
With five races completed, the Drivers’ standings now see Piastri on top, followed by Norris and Red Bull’s Max Verstappen. The Constructors’ Championship is equally tight, with McLaren emerging as early-season favorites.
Saudi GP Top 5 Finishers:
- Oscar Piastri (McLaren)
- Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
- Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)
- Lando Norris (McLaren)
- Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)
The Formula 1 circus now heads to Imola for the next round, where McLaren will look to extend their winning streak and maintain their championship momentum.
