McLaren savaged over strategic calls by Jacques Villeneuve as Oscar Piastri slips to third

McLaren’s strategic calls at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix have come under fire from former world champion Jacques Villeneuve – as Oscar Piastri flamed out after starting in pole position.

Former world champion Jacques Villeneuve has hit out at McLaren’s strategy calls at Imola, saying the team showed “weakness” and was “afraid to be aggressive” in its fight for the drivers’ championship.

As four-time world champion Max Verstappen claimed an upset win in the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix ahead of the McLaren pair of Lando Norris and title leader Oscar Piastri, Villeneuve said papaya squad’s calls suggested they were “afraid to go against” the Australian.

Norris overtook third-placed Piastri for second position late in the race, but Villeneuve believed McLaren should have allowed the Brit through earlier after a safety car restart to give him a shot at attacking Verstappen on fresher tyres than his teammate.

“They show weakness. Basically, they don’t show the strength that Red Bull are always showing year after year,” Villeneuve said on Sky Sports F1.

“It’s as if they’re afraid to be aggressive in trying to win the drivers’ championship, and they’re afraid to go against Piastri. It’s really, really odd.

Race winner Max Verstappen (C) is flanked by Oracle Red Bull Racing’s Lando Norris (L) and Oscar Piastri (R). Picture: Getty

“Piastri messed up that first corner. He got caught out sleeping. He should never have come out of the corner second and then he didn’t have the pace, which was odd. Norris had more pace.

“On the restart, McLaren knew that it was a matter of laps before Norris would have taken Piastri with the tyre difference, it was obvious.

“100 per cent sure he would get ahead, so why make him lose three laps instead of giving him a shot at Verstappen?”

After starting on pole position, Piastri lost the lead to Verstappen at the start of the race before the team’s decision to pit the Melbourne racer early backfired.

The 24-year-old has retained his lead in the drivers’ championship with a 13-point buffer over Norris.

Second placed Lando Norris (L) and McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri (third) celebrate their podium finishes. Picture: Getty

Verstappen, meanwhile, closed to within 22 points of the title lead.

“Because Verstappen is in for the championship, you don’t want to give Verstappen wins,” Villeneuve added.

“That’s more points for him in the drivers’ championship.

“They seem to be happy with second and third. McLaren has a car where a good weekend means first and second. Anything less is a bit disappointing.

“First and third is fairly acceptable, but they seem happy with second and third.”

Norris later confirmed there had been no discussion about team orders and how McLaren would attempt to take the fight to Verstappen late in the race.

“I was on better tyres, but I didn’t expect anything,” Norris told Sky Sports.

“If you try and make someone happy, the other one’s going to be unhappy, so it’s the way it is. I think we handled it well, and it was a good job by the team.”

McLaren team principal Andrea Stella revealed he had thought about ordering a team switch before opting against it.

“It was definitely a thought,” Stella said.

“In reality, if the pace delta was enough things would have taken care of themselves. We are happy with how things unfolded.

“Both drivers are happy, think that was fair and that’s the way we go racing.”

Australian driver Oscar Piastri started on pole – but dropped back to third. Picture: AFP

LIVE AND LEARN

Piastri has been able to out-Max Verstappen this season, but said he would “live and learn” from the Dutchman’s opening lap pass on him at Imola.

Verstappen swooped on Piastri at turn one with the Aussie pole sitter critical of himself for braking too early.

“I thought I had it pretty under control, and it was a good move from Max,” Piastri said.

“So, yeah, I’ll learn for next time clearly.

“I definitely would have done something different. I would have braked 10 metres later probably.

“That’s all. Live and learn.”

The move helped deliver Verstappen’s second win of the year, snapping a run of three consecutive wins from Piastri.

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner hailed Verstappen’s “win it or bin it” move.

“I think maybe Oscar was more focused on George Russell and he left the slightest of gaps and Max just sent it and it was kind of win it or bin it,” Horner said as per motorsport.com.

“And again, he’s just so good in that situation where he just sees a gap and it’s so decisive for him.”

Race winner Max Verstappen celebrates with his team. Picture: Getty

INTERNAL FIGHT

Horner has predicted the internal battle between Piastri and Norris would cost the team points as the battle for the drivers’ championship heated up across the season.

The Red Bull chief suggested at some stage the drivers’ self-interest would outweigh the team’s interest at his title rivals.

“You’ve got two drivers that are fighting for a world championship,” Horner said.

“At some point, self-interest will always outweigh team interest. That’s the conflict.

“So, they did a good job not to make contact. But it was commendable that they were allowed to race, but you could see it got pretty close.”

And Red Bull will be hoping to capitalise when it happens as Horner warning his team was starting to build momentum.

“It’s been a very positive weekend, and I think we’re building a bit of momentum, which is important at this stage of the championship,” Horner said.

Originally published as McLaren savaged over strategic calls by Jacques Villeneuve as Oscar Piastri slips to third