McLaren’s team principal Andrea Stella said the Belgian Grand Prix showcased the car’s pace today, painting a picture of a performance that could have yielded podium points for Lando Norris if not for a ten‑place grid penalty.
Grid Penalty Hits Norris, but Pace Speaks
Norris began seventh after a battery swap that exceeded the year‑long allowance for the Mercedes power unit. The replacement, taken before the start, placed him far from the top of the grid.
Despite the drop, the Australian qualified third, just shy of pole in a field led by Kimi Antonelli and Max Verstappen, who benefited from a tow. In the race, Norris’s speed was evident, staying on hards before moving to medium tyres once the race passed half‑mark.
Shooting For the Podium – Strategy Decisions
McLaren elected to keep Norris on track during the mid‑race virtual safety car instead of pitting for cheaper tyres. The team weighed the risk of a long medium stint against potential future safety car opportunities.
When the safety car period ended, Norris was forced into a 7.8‑second stop. The time lost in the pit lane narrowed his chances to be overtaken, a concern Stella admitted in hindsight.
Stella’s Post‑Race Assessment
Stella praised the car’s adaptability to Spa‑Francorchamps’s uneven grip, noting the chassis’s Mercedes power unit performance outshone rival Ford‑powered Ferraris on the circuit’s high‑speed straight‑through sections.
“We saw outright pace that could contend for podiums if not for the grid drop,” said Stella. He conceded the pit‑stop timing, acknowledging a missed opportunity to tweak strategy during the VSC period.
Piastri’s Affairs at Turn 5
Oscar Piastri, driver at back of the McLaren pack, suffered car damage when squeezed by Charles Leclerc at Turn 5. Damage to downforce hampered his run through traffic, dropping the Australian to fifth, one position ahead of Lewis Hamilton.
Beyond the on‑track incidents, Stella hinted that the team will aim to eliminate variability from track conditions as they head back to Silverstone, with the objective of podium finishes in any environment.
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