With only four races left in the 2025 Formula 1 season, the championship battle is heating up in unexpected ways. The title fight, which appeared to be a two-horse race, has shifted dramatically as McLaren’s internal dynamics have become the focus of intense scrutiny.
A recent analysis from a former team principal, Guenther Steiner, has highlighted the strategic choices that may have cost McLaren dearly.
Guenther Steiner Talks About McLaren’s Failed Strategy
Steiner, the former Haas principal, delivered a scathing assessment of McLaren’s approach to the championship fight. When asked about McLaren’s struggles, Steier stated: “First of all, I’m not the guy to want to advise Zak Brown and Andrea Stella on what to do, but I think the machinery, for me, is that there was no decision to support one driver to go for the Championship at McLaren at some stage.”
Reflecting on how dramatically the season has shifted, Steiner explained: “I think they were in the same position as me five races ago; it seemed to be pretty clear who was going to win the Championship.” At that stage, McLaren appeared to have a dominant position. According to Steiner, “They dominated the Manufacturers’ World Championship, doing a great job, and they thought they’d just bring it home.”
However, the situation changed dramatically as the season progressed. The critical issue, Steiner argued, was not external factors but McLaren’s internal strategy. “But now it seems like, not because of the friction, but because of the sharing of the points in McLaren, Max now gets an advantage,” he said.
By failing to unite behind a single driver, McLaren inadvertently benefited their rivals. Steier employed a stark illustration of this failure: “While they fight, who is laughing? The third one. If two fight, who is laughing? The third one.”
What Toll Did it Take on Oscar Piastri?
The consequences for Oscar Piastri have been particularly severe as the season draws to a close. Steiner stated bluntly: “I think it has dented Piastri’s chances and rattled his confidence a little. He’s not easily getting the results that he was two months ago.” The Australian driver, who held a commanding lead just weeks earlier, has since struggled to maintain his form when it matters most.
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Steiner was direct about what McLaren must now confront regarding their strategic missteps. He declared, “They must be looking at themselves and be very concerned with the decisions that they’ve made.” The underlying message was clear: strategic clarity and unified team direction could have protected McLaren’s championship advantage, but their indecision has handed a golden opportunity to Max Verstappen and Red Bull as the season enters its final and most critical phase.