Stella explains McLaren's strategy decisions in Belgium

McLaren Team Principal Andrea Stella has reflected on the strategy challenges faced during the Belgian Grand Prix. Lando Norris, who started 13th due to a grid penalty, executed a strong recovery drive and briefly led the race. However, the team's decision to extend his first stint on hard tires, hoping for a Safety Car that never materialized, ultimately hindered his progress. Stella admitted that while the decision was a '50-50' call made to avoid a double-stack pit stop, in hindsight, pitting earlier would have likely yielded a better result than his P7 finish. Despite the strategic frustrations, Stella remained optimistic about McLaren's performance, noting that Norris’s pace with his new power unit proved the car was capable of fighting for the podium. The team is now focused on ensuring their car remains competitive across all track conditions. Meanwhile, Oscar Piastri’s race was hampered by floor damage sustained during a contested overtaking maneuver against Charles Leclerc. Although the contact affected his tire degradation, Stella praised Piastri's growth and consistency throughout the weekend, expressing confidence that both drivers have the underlying pace to challenge at the front.