Verstappen Unimpressed with McLaren's Strategy

Max Verstappen didn't hold back his feelings about McLaren's driver management during the recent Italian Grand Prix. At Monza, the team made the controversial decision to pit Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri in an unusual order, attempting to maintain their positions on track.

A Costly Mistake: Norris' Slow Pit Stop

However, McLaren's strategy quickly unraveled due to a slow pit stop for Norris, forcing the team to order a swap between the two drivers. Once Verstappen learned about their blunder, he couldn’t help but laugh, questioning, "Just because he had a slow stop?" His amusement reflected not just on the situation but also highlighted the competitive tension of the race.

How Did Verstappen Discover the News?

Despite conflicting reports suggesting Red Bull hadn’t informed him, Verstappen was indeed made aware during the race. His keen observation of a large circuit screen showing the McLaren pit activities played a crucial role in his understanding of the situation.

As his race engineer, Gianpiero Lambiase, informed him that Piastri had pitted, Verstappen quickly inquired, "Did he have a slow stop?" The response confirmed his suspicions: "Lando had a slow stop, yeah. He’s now behind Piastri."

Strategic Communications Amidst the Chaos

Throughout the race, Red Bull maintained frequent communication with Verstappen, especially after the McLaren drivers exchanged positions. This ongoing dialogue ensured that he was both aware of his rivals' strategies and able to adjust his own tactics accordingly.

Lessons Learned: Maintaining Focus on the Race

After initially allowing Norris to pass him following a Red Bull instruction—recalling an earlier incident in Spain with George Russell where he was unfairly directed to relinquish a position—Verstappen verified the order before complying.

Final Thoughts: Keeping the Race Competitive

As the race unfolded, Verstappen checked in with his team about his pace, eager to remain close enough to Norris. Red Bull's guidance played a pivotal role in this, as they relayed updates on the race dynamics and even reminded him to stay focused despite the drama unfolding between the McLaren drivers.

With this experience at Monza, Verstappen not only showcased his own strategic acumen but also reminded everyone of the fine line teams walk between competition and collaboration.