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The F1 McLaren Problem

The F1 McLaren Problem

Last season, McLaren started in pre-season testing with it's drivers spending a lot of time out of the car. On it's first couple of races, they were doing 4 pit stops in one race and fumbling about on the back of the grid. Things looked absolutely bleek, and then seemingly out of nowhere, they bounced back incredibly hard and found themselves back on podiums and scoring points. There wasn't a team that wasn't shocked at the night and day turn around. Unfortunately, it was a season where Red Bull's Max Verstappen absolutely dominated the field winning all but one race in the season, something that has never happened before.

This year, McLaren came roaring back with both drivers, Norris and Piastri, (though Piastri had a poor start to the season) gunning for the top step and McLaren's development backing them up and putting their car at the top of the pile. As we know, F1 success depends on having drivers that have the best race craft, car development that keeps their opponents at bay, a good strategy team, good leadership that keeps everyone working together, and mechanics who are 100% on it.

Unfortunately, though McLaren has found success this year with both Lando and Oscar winning their first races, their buddy buddy approach has seemingly failed them. Zak Brown said to the media repeatedly that they have TWO number one drivers when asked why they do not prioritize Lando, who has more of a chance of winning over Oscar points wise. With the last race in Monza, over team radio, the race engineer could be heard saying, you guys can race under "Papaya rules," which they clarified were some type of pre-agreed upon rules of engagement. Oh brother!

The F1 McLaren Problem

Everyone knows Red Bull is a ruthless team. They will cut a driver mid season (or earlier) in the hot pursuit of wins and talent and they definitely have a number one driver as do other teams like Williams who ruthlessly allowed Albon to drive his teammates car, instead of him sitting out after he crashed his own, because principal Vowels told Sargeant, who has now been cut mid season, that he wasn't likely to score points for them.

McLaren does not want to be known as that ruthless team, but they are becoming one that is "too nice." Even Ferrari, last year in Monza, on the last gasp of a sprint to the end between it's two drivers, allowed them to race one another as wild as it got. Hand holding is an awful thing in this sport. Drivers want to race, and when you say, oh but we agreed, it's your turn to win this race and please let the other one by rather than prioritizing who can further push for the world drivers or constructors after it is clear that one driver over the other is much further ahead, its not really the racing the fans or drivers came to witness or participate in.

The F1 McLaren Problem

Fans and commentators alike, have let McLaren know on F1 media and social media and how, how obvious it is to everyone that they need to start putting Lando first for the benefit of the entire team and ditch the whole, let's be friends bit. It never works out anyway. It is extremely rare that teams at the top have teammates that hang out on the weekends together. This year has been extremely exciting knowing that we don't already know like we did every race last year, who is going to win. There have been so many different winners this year, that every race is something to look forward to.

The F1 McLaren Problem
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