McLaren stands by its "failed" intermediate tire gamble at the Canadian Grand Prix, insisting the call was strategically sound despite ultimately backfiring. Lando Norris, who initially led on inters, and Oscar Piastri started on the wet-weather compound, only to quickly realize slicks were the right choice. Both pitted early, losing crucial track position.
Team Principal Andrea Stella argues unusual circumstances derailed their strategy, not poor judgment. Two aborted starts and extra formation laps meant the track dried significantly more than anticipated when the tire choice was made. Norris himself felt slicks would be "terrible" at the original start time, and the decision was a group call, with drivers agreeing based on pre-race conditions. McLaren believes a mere "1% more rain" or a timely start would have validated their aggressive play. This highlights the razor-thin margins in F1 strategy, where unexpected delays can flip fortunes in an instant.
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