McLaren defend Canadian Grand Prix tyre gamble after Piastri criticism
McLaren team principal Andrea Stella has defended a failed tyre gamble at the Canadian Grand Prix that left driver Oscar Piastri claiming the team looked “like idiots” after failing to score any points.
Both Piastri and team-mate Lando Norris started Sunday’s race in Montreal on intermediate tyres amid light rain and cold conditions.
The McLaren duo were the only drivers in the top 10 to gamble on the wet-weather compound.
However, a delayed start caused by a mechanical issue for Racing Bulls driver Arvid Lindblad allowed the track to dry significantly.
The seven-minute delay meant the intermediate rubber quickly overheated, forcing both drivers to pit for slick tyres by the end of the second lap.
Fine margins in Montreal
Norris had briefly surged into the lead from third on the grid before the bold strategy rapidly unravelled.
The miscalculation ultimately ruined the afternoon for the Woking-based outfit, with neither driver managing to secure a point.
Speaking to Sky Sports F1, the Australian driver admitted the changing weather made the initial grid walk challenging.
“Getting to the grid on slicks was not easy, getting to full throttle was tough,” Piastri explained.
“Unfortunately for us, it stopped raining. If it rained a little bit more we would have looked like heroes. It didn’t, so we looked like idiots.”
Stella points to hindsight
Despite the brutal assessment from his young star, the McLaren team boss stood by the original call.
Stella argued that the double extra formation lap unfairly penalised those who had already committed to the intermediate compound.
“At the time that you had to make a decision as to what tyres to fit, and with not necessarily a clear idea as to when the rain would stop, the track was greasy and the right tyre at that time was the intermediate tyre,” the Italian insisted.
The former Ferrari engineer added that the pit lane visibly dried during the unexpected delay before lights out.
“I think we always have to be a bit careful in judging decisions simply from the outcome. I think you have to judge decisions at the time that they need to be made.”
The scoreless weekend is a bitter blow for a squad that had confidently locked out the second row during qualifying behind a resurgent Mercedes team.