McLaren handed staff speak out fear verdict: 'They are all unhappy'

Former Haas F1 team principal Guenther Steiner believes everyone at McLaren is currently "unhappy" but afraid to speak out and go against the squad's "culture". 

McLaren enter the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix season finale still with a chance of Lando Norris or Oscar Piastri winning the drivers' title, but the threat of Max Verstappen has intensified considerably. 

Norris enters the season final just 12 points ahead of Verstappen, while Piastri sits four points behind the four-time world champion. 

Verstappen secured a surprise victory in Qatar following a shocking strategic error by McLaren, which cost Piastri victory and Norris a likely podium. 

McLaren chose not to pit either driver at the end of lap seven under safety car after Nico Hulkenberg crashed at the first corner. 

It put both Piastri and Norris on the back foot, and handed Verstappen a crucial race win which has kept him in the title fight going into the Yas Marina Circuit. 

McLaren's Qatar mistake came a week on from both of its cars being disqualified in Las Vegas, with Steiner believing the team are unhappy at what has happened. 

As of yet, criticism of McLaren has rarely been heard by either driver or the team after a significant mistake; however, Steiner believes it will all spill out should the drivers' title not be won by Norris or Piastri.

Asked what he thinks the mood is currently like in McLaren, Steiner told the Red Flags podcast: "I think they all are unhappy, but nobody voices it, because it's a culture. 

"I think it's not a bad culture, I'm not saying it's wrong. But deep inside, if you're in that team, we said it many times, how many chances have you got to win a world championship? 

"And they can still win it. I think they are still in the best position to win it, obviously, mathematically, they've still got the best car. 

"They can still win it, but put it at the edge all the time. Is that what you want to do? Not really. And should they lose it, I don't think you can keep the lid on this one."