[Saba Sports News] The McLaren team surrendered control of the race right from the start of the Canadian Grand Prix. With rain forecast ahead of the race, McLaren opted to start both cars on intermediate tyres. However, the track quickly dried out, turning this risky call into a total strategic disaster — and Max Verstappen emerged as the biggest beneficiary.
Parts of Circuit Gilles Villeneuve were still damp before the race. Many teams, including Red Bull, tested intermediate tyres during the reconnaissance laps. Unlike McLaren though, Verstappen and Isack Hadjar quickly switched back to slick tyres. McLaren remained convinced that more rain was on the way. Oscar Piastri warned the team over team radio during the formation lap that the car had severely limited grip and sticking with intermediates would be a mistake, yet the team’s strategist refused to adjust the plan immediately.
Piastri was forced to pit for new tyres just one lap after the race got underway. Lando Norris, who had briefly led the field, followed him into the pits the next lap. Within minutes, both McLaren drivers dropped out of contention for the race win, while Verstappen gained two positions effortlessly. After the race, the Dutchman could not help but joke: “That was a brilliant decision. All I could think at the time was, thank you.”
In my opinion, sarcastic remarks like this over strategic blunders are common mind games in Formula 1 and do not escalate into personal feuds. The exchange is typical banter between rival teams, as Red Bull and McLaren are direct contenders for the championship title this season.