Belgium 🇧🇪 debrief McLaren & Mercedes edition 🏎️

Lando (2nd in the standings) :

Qualifying: 5th but starts 4th due to Verstappen’s grid penalty
Grand Prix: 5 (10 points +1 for fastest lap due to George’s disqualification)
Positions: -2

Oscar (4th in the standings):

Qualifying: 6th but starts 5th due to Verstappen’s grid penalty
Grand Prix: 2 (18 points due to George’s disqualification)
Positions: +2

Mclaren had a tale of two halves with Oscar finishing 3rd and Lando finishing in 6th. Lando cost himself a better finish after a bad start that cost him so many positions whereas Oscar had a way better start and moved forward. Andrea said that overtaking was harder than expected and Lando said that the undercut was the better strategy and powerful and that with hindsight it would have been better to do that.

Lewis (6th in the standings):

Qualifying : 4th but starts 3rd due to Verstappen’s grid penalty
Grand Prix: 1st (25 points due to George’s disqualification)
Positions: +2

George (7th in the standings) :

Qualifying: 7th but starts 6th due to Verstappen’s grid penalty
Grand Prix: Disqualified due to the car being underweight
Positions: N/A

Mercedes did an incredible job to finish in a 1-2 when they had a disastrous few days especially in qualifying. It’s good to see that the team has been getting podiums consistently and it’s a good thing to carry over into the summer break. George made a good call to gamble on the one stop and it paid off. However, George got disqualified due to the car being underweight so Lewis inherited the win which was rightfully deserved since the team messed up his race by calling him in to the pits when he still had good tyres. It’s unfortunate for George but rules are rules.

📸 Formula Motorsport Limited I Getty Images