Sep.22 (GMM) McLaren endured a nightmare weekend in Baku, as championship leader Oscar Piastri crashed in both qualifying and the race to end his long run of cool consistency.
“Oscar has been the most consistent driver this season so far,” team boss Andrea Stella noted, adding that the Australian had finished 44 races in a row prior to Sunday.
“He was severely punished for small mistakes. He will learn from this. This has happened to even the greatest champions from time to time, like Michael Schumacher.”
Sky Deutschland pundit Ralf Schumacher, however, was less forgiving. “Looked like a sudden loss of talent,” he said.
“It’s good for (Lando) Norris to see that his teammate can also make mistakes. The pressure is on now, and it won’t leave anyone unscathed.”
Stella admitted the otherwise dominant McLaren car struggled as much as the drivers over the weekend. “The car didn’t deliver the grip, predictability, and consistency that the drivers usually need to fully exploit,” he said.
“As soon as Oscar pushed the limit a little, it was a disaster. On tracks with heavy braking and tight corners, our car doesn’t deliver the best performance. Fortunately, most tracks aren’t like this one.”
Red Bull advisor Dr Helmut Marko pointed out that Max Verstappen’s relentless presence and sudden return to form is shaking McLaren.
“It’s not that common for a McLaren driver to fail to finish,” he said. “But I always say – you have to be as close as possible to make them nervous.”
Former F1 driver Christijan Albers, meanwhile, blasted McLaren’s operations.
“They have an incredibly dominant car,” he told Viaplay. “Andrea Stella is building that team around himself, but I saw the same thing with Andreas Seidl – he was also so hyped.
“They have a fantastic car, but their strategy is poor, and the drivers are inconsistent. If you put Max, Russell, or Leclerc in that car, you’d have a completely different championship.”
Join Grand Prix Tours in Austin, Texas for the high-energy 2026 United States Grand Prix at Circuit of the Americas. Experience nonstop action on one of Formula 1’s most exciting tracks, featuring dramatic elevation changes, thrilling overtakes, and a packed race weekend. Off the track, enjoy a festival atmosphere with live music, world-famous BBQ, and buzzing nightlife. Your Grand Prix Tours package includes a fully curated race weekend, highlighted by exclusive access to our private F1 Celebrity Talk Show, where guests gain insider insights and behind-the-scenes perspectives. With demand soaring and this event quickly becoming a modern American racing tradition, now is the time to secure your spot for an unforgettable Austin Grand Prix experience.
SHOW PACKAGES
There are motorsport events, and then there is the Indianapolis 500, the "Greatest Spectacle in Racing." Next year marks Grand Prix Tours' 42nd Indianapolis 500 tour and our decades of experience and local connections provide exclusive access that few fans ever enjoy, including police escorts on race day, a Dallara IndyCar Factory tour, Gasoline Alley and Legends Day, the Driver Introduction Ceremony, and a private dinner with former Indy driver Derek Daly. Combined with excellent hotel accommodations, seamless event planning, and Grand Prix Tours' signature service, this is far more than a race weekend; it's a once-in-a-lifetime motorsport experience. With tour spaces limited each year, we encourage you to reserve your place early for the 111th Indianapolis 500.
SHOW PACKAGES
Experience Formula 1 at its most iconic with an unforgettable trip to the 2027 Grand Prix de Monaco. Feel the excitement as the world’s best drivers race through the legendary streets of Monte Carlo, surrounded by superyachts, Mediterranean views, and the unmistakable glamour of Monaco. From incredible race viewing to carefully selected accommodations, Grand Prix Tours brings you closer to the action at one of the most prestigious and spectacular events in all of motorsport.
SHOW PACKAGES
The 24 Hours of Le Mans is the ultimate test of speed, strategy, and endurance. Watch the world's top manufacturers battle for 24 nonstop hours in one of motorsport's most prestigious events. With Grand Prix Tours handling your accommodations, transfers, and ticket options, all that's left is to experience this unforgettable bucket-list race.
SHOW PACKAGES
Feel the roar of Formula 1 at its spiritual home. Silverstone is one of the fastest and most demanding circuits in the world, where brave overtakes, lightning-fast direction changes, and flat-out commitment separate the best from the rest. Combined with the electric atmosphere created by hundreds of thousands of passionate fans, the British Grand Prix delivers a race weekend unlike any other.
SHOW PACKAGES