Red Bull boss stunned by McLaren’s Qatar GP mistake
Laurent Mekies couldn’t believe his eyes when McLaren threw away their advantage at a crucial moment during Sunday’s Qatar Grand Prix.
“We were very surprised,” the Red Bull team principal told GPblog after watching McLaren’s baffling decision to keep both cars out while everyone else pitted during the early safety car period.
The decision proved costly. Max Verstappen immediately capitalized on the free pit stop, grabbing the lead and holding it all the way to the checkered flag.
“It’s always easy to say after the race what is the right strategy,” Mekies admitted. “But we were very surprised because on our side we had sort of pre-decided that it would be the first lap we can take and we will take it.”
Verstappen’s gamble paid off perfectly. The Dutch driver managed the gap throughout the race, securing a victory that keeps his title hopes alive heading into this weekend’s finale in Abu Dhabi.
The Red Bull boss seemed genuinely puzzled by McLaren’s thinking. “I cannot judge what their thought process was at that moment. But yes, we were were very surprised.”
## McLaren’s “grave error” criticized by Brundle
Former F1 driver and respected commentator Martin Brundle didn’t hold back in his assessment of McLaren’s strategy disaster.
The British team essentially shot themselves in the foot by keeping both drivers out while Verstappen and the rest of the field gained what amounted to a free pit stop.
Brundle identified three critical mistakes in McLaren’s approach that allowed Verstappen to reopen a championship battle that many thought was already settled.
The Dutchman’s victory now sets up a dramatic showdown at the season finale in Abu Dhabi, where the world championship will finally be decided.
