McLaren strategy error costs positions at 2026 Bahrain GP in Malaysia
Team Principal Andrea Stella admitted McLaren misjudged the crossover point for tyres, leading to Oscar Piastri finishing sixth and Lando Norris ninth after early slick gamble failed.
McLaren Team Principal Andrea Stella admitted the team made an incorrect tyre strategy call at the 2026 Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia, starting both cars on medium tyres in conditions that favoured intermediates and costing both drivers race time. The decision to start Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris on medium compound slicks, while rivals opted for intermediate tyres, proved costly in the opening laps at Sepang.
McLaren's Tyre Strategy Error at Sepang
How McLaren's Tyre Call Unfolded
Both Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris lined up on medium compound slicks, with the team expecting the track to dry quickly enough for the gamble to pay off. Instead, the conditions remained too wet, and the medium tyres failed to deliver the expected performance advantage. Piastri reacted by switching to intermediates at the end of the second formation lap, which allowed him to regain some of the lost ground. Norris, however, stayed out on slicks and quickly dropped to 15th, losing substantial time each lap before eventually recovering to finish ninth.
The team’s misjudgement of the crossover point between dry and intermediate tyres left both drivers on the back foot. While Piastri’s early switch to intermediates minimised some of the damage, Norris’s extended stint on slicks saw him lose more ground before he could recover later in the race. This strategic error was particularly costly given the unpredictable weather and the fact that several other teams made different calls that better suited the conditions.
| Oscar Piastri | Started on mediums, pitted for intermediates at end of second formation lap, finished P6 |
|---|---|
| Lando Norris | Started on mediums, stayed out on slicks, dropped to P15, finished P9 |
Andrea Stella: Crossover Point Misjudged
Andrea Stella explained after the race that McLaren had misjudged the crossover point at which dry tyres would become faster than intermediates. This error led to the initial choice of mediums, which did not work as intended and forced both drivers onto the back foot early in the race. Stella acknowledged that the team needs to improve after the Malaysia result. He also commented that the current pecking order in Formula One is difficult to judge, suggesting that the team will continue to analyse its decisions as the season develops.
Strategy Context and Next Steps
The Sepang tyre miscalculation left McLaren with points but short of their target after a race that saw other teams make different tyre choices in the changing conditions. While both drivers managed to recover to finish in the points, the lost time in the early laps prevented McLaren from challenging for higher positions. The team’s performance in Malaysia highlights the importance of accurate weather and track condition assessment, especially when the window between dry and intermediate tyres is narrow.
In the broader context of the 2026 Formula One season, McLaren’s strategy error at Sepang may serve as a learning opportunity. Teams are often forced to make quick decisions in unpredictable conditions, and success can hinge on reading the weather and track surface correctly. Stella’s comments indicate a focus on refining strategy and understanding tyre behaviour as the season progresses. The team is expected to review its data and processes to avoid similar mistakes in future races, especially as the championship battle intensifies and every point becomes crucial.
- McLaren started both cars on medium slicks, expecting the track to dry quickly.
- The conditions remained too wet for slicks to be effective.
- Oscar Piastri switched to intermediates at the end of the second formation lap, limiting his losses.
- Lando Norris stayed out on slicks, dropped to 15th, and lost significant time before recovering to ninth.
- Other teams made different tyre choices, some benefiting from earlier switches to intermediates.
Looking ahead, McLaren will aim to strengthen its strategic decision-making, particularly in changeable weather conditions. The team’s response to the Sepang setback will be closely watched as the season continues, with attention on how they adapt and improve in future Grands Prix.
For a full report on how the 2026 Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia unfolded, see Verstappen wins chaotic 2026 Bahrain GP in Malaysia after software bug disrupts start.
