McLaren team principal Andrea Stella explained the squad’s thinking behind its secondIpitstop sequence at the Hungarian Grand Prix, amid frustration from Oscar Piastri over his run‑in with backmarker Carlos Sainz. Both drivers, eager for a first‑season win, were visibly angry, reflecting the urgency the reigning champions feel for the 2026 campaign.

Mercedes had dominated early, but Ferrari’s upgraded car challenged them, and McLaren’s new floor finally put the MCL40 in the mix. Norris, on pole, drifted off‑track on lap 1, while Piastri benefitted from penalties to take third, then overtook Norris into the lead. Overtaking was difficult without a tyre offset, so Norris’s afternoon was ruined.

During the second stint, Norris was requested to pit first, a decision that upset Piastri, who had earned Start‑of‑lap one lead. When Hamilton, already 25 seconds behind, closed the gap, McLaren needed to respond to the Ferrari threat. Stella said they chose Piastri for the stop, but Norris’s clear‑air pace allowed an overcut, taking the lead and angering Piastri.

The driver later admitted the radio outburst was “in the heat of the moment.” Piastri retired with a gearbox failure, but the team defended its decision as fair, noting they evaluated all options and prioritized the race outcome.