Andrea Stella admits to prioritising McLarens 1-2 finish over Oscar Piastris maiden F1 w

McLaren team principal Andrea Stella has shared his thoughts after the team’s 1-2 finish at the Hungarian Grand Prix. The Woking-based outfit has occupied the top two spots for the first time since the 2021 Italian Grand Prix.

The Papayas showed great pace and promise around the Hungaroring, outpacing the likes of Red Bull and Mercedes on Sunday. Oscar Piastri claimed his maiden win after starting on a stronger note than his teammate and pole sitter, Lando Norris.

Andrea Stella has claimed to have played things on a safer note during the race by ensuring the top spots first, rather than the order of it. Stella’s plan directed Lando Norris to swap positions with Oscar Piastri, who claimed the victory in Budapest.

My decision was to secure the 1-2 first and then decide the finishing order. I absolutely wanted to avoid something going wrong with a wheel nut or something – and ending up behind Ferrari or Mercedes and screwing it up.

🚨 | McLaren don't deserve the criticism they are receiving, argues Andrea Stella.

"My decision was to secure the 1-2 first and then decide the order."

Full quotes below:https://t.co/7aRr3pRWaR

McLaren have not been clinical during crucial moments, which has cost them the win on a few occasions this season. Stella’s plan of securing a 1-2 finish was therefore a good strategy, as it ensured maximum points for them in the title race.

Lando Norris admits being tempted to win the Hungarian GP despite team orders

Lando Norris, as indicated above, finished P2 at the Hungarian Grand Prix in a bittersweet afternoon for the Brit. Norris has thereafter shared his feelings on having to forgo the win at Budapest.

When you’re thinking of the seven or six points that I give away, then … it crosses your mind. So it was not easy. It’s hard when you’re in that position to give it back because you’re there and of course that went through my mind.

Norris bagged the first win of his career at the 2024 Miami Grand Prix and has been in search of a second ever since. Moreover, he also narrowly missed out on a sensational home win at Silverstone last week due to a strategic blunder.

The 24-year-old wished for a better ending to the race around Hungaroring but sufficed selflessly to meet the needs of the team. The upcoming race at Spa will be a chance for Lando Norris to redeem himself and amass a second career win.

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