1997 F1 world champion Jacques Villeneuve described McLaren’s lack of disappointment after the Japanese Grand prix as “unusual” regardless of shedding out on the race win.
Whereas McLaren prolonged their lead within the F1 constructors’ championship, they had been overwhelmed to the victory by Pink Bull’s Max Verstappen.
Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri had been in a position to stick to Verstappen, however given the shortage of overtaking alternatives at Suzuka, couldn’t really problem him.
It did appear that McLaren had a efficiency benefit over Pink Bull – however couldn’t capitalise on it.
Villeneuve was stunned by McLaren’s response to lacking out on the win in Japan, when they need to have taken a 1-2 end.
“That’s not what we had been seeing on TV. If the undercut labored, then Piastri would have overtaken Norris as a result of he pitted a lap earlier, however that wasn’t the case,” Villeneuve stated when assessing McLaren’s technique decisions.
“So there was some injury management, there. They didn’t appear to be overly dissatisfied which is unusual. They need to have been first and second however had been overwhelmed, not as a result of they had been gradual, however as a result of a staff and a driver had been higher.
“That ought to harm. They need to suppose ‘we did one thing fallacious this weekend, we should always have had a greater shot’.
“For those who pit on the identical lap, in fact you wish to [overtake] except there’s a huge subject within the pit cease. At worst, you pit behind. Or behind your teammate then trade positions. However at the very least you get an opportunity.”
Lando Norris
McLaren at all times too “conservative” with technique
McLaren threw away a lot of wins final yr resulting from poor technique decisions.
Former W Collection driver Naomi Schiff feels that McLaren had been doubtlessly too conservative once more in Japan, relatively than “taking gambles or threat”.
“A few of the excuse was turbulent air. However Oscar would have been within the turbulent air,” she stated. “Then he was saying that Lando was saving tyres.
“It seems like they at all times wish to run on the conservative aspect, relatively than taking gambles or threat.
“It seems like they wish to get secure factors on the board, and that they’re interested by the lengthy sport.”
McLaren are 36 factors forward of Mercedes within the F1 constructors’ standings.
