McLaren suffered its first grand prix defeat of the season at Suzuka after Max Verstappen supremely converted his stunning pole position into victory.
It marked Verstappen’s fourth consecutive Japanese Grand Prix success and the first race this year not won by McLaren.
Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri remained close to the Red Bull driver throughout the race, with the duo comfortably securing second and third, respectively.
Just 2.1 seconds split the three drivers, yet neither Norris nor Piastri ever had a sniff at overtaking Verstappen.
Norris was the only driver who had a small opportunity to take the lead after coming out of the pits alongside Verstappen, who also chose to pit at the end of lap 21.
Rather than yield and follow the Dutchman out of the pit lane, Norris raced Verstappen and put all four wheels onto the grass at the pit exit, costing him time.
Piastri, on the other hand, pitted one lap earlier, yet remained in third position. It led to calls after the race that McLaren played its strategy too safe, rather than attacking for the win.
With tyre degradation very low, some called for the Woking-based team to run either Norris or Piastri longer than Verstappen.
Another option McLaren opted against was attempting an undercut with Norris rather than Piastri.
McLaren still extended its lead in the constructors’ title to 36 points, although questions over its strategic thinking have now risen.
Did McLaren get its strategy wrong?
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