McLaren faced backlash after the Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal, with driver Oscar Piastri calling the team's strategy a mistake that made them look idiots. The decision hinged on a gamble to start on intermediates amid light rain, a move that backfired when the track dried before the race began for the first time in.

Three drivers, including Norris, Piastri, and Nico Hulkenberg, opted for intermediates, while the rest of the field stayed on slicks. A double extra formation lap—triggered by a Racing Bulls error—delayed the start by seven minutes, turning a wet grid into a slick‑to‑dry transition that cost the team crucial seconds and stalled the race start moment ahead.

Stella defended the choice, saying the rain had stopped just after the five‑minute signal and that the extra lap penalised the intermediates. He argued that had the track stayed wet longer, the drivers on slicks would have struggled, and that decisions must be judged at the moment they’re made for the team to recover today.

The gamble paid off little; Piastri finished 11th after a collision with Alex Albon and a 10‑second penalty, while Norris retired twice, once from a gearbox failure. McLaren’s lack of tyre warmth in cold conditions left both drivers unable to challenge the Mercedes lead, underscoring the team’s struggle for competitive pace and their future performance.