Red Bull admit surprise at 'clever' McLaren strategy in F1 title showdown

Laurent Mekies has conceded Red Bull was "not expecting" McLaren to split its tyre strategy across Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri at the F1 season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

With Max Verstappen on pole, the Woking-based team started the former, from second on the grid, on medium compound Pirellis — as anticipated and consistent with the Dutchman's own choice — and the latter, from third, on the offset white-walled hard tyres.

The strategic curveball, coupled with Piastri sweeping around the outside of his team-mate at Turn 9 on the opening lap in a quasi-planned switch, prevented the four-time F1 drivers' champion from backing the two MCL39s into the pack, as the Australian was scheduled to go longer into the race before pitting.

That tactic was one of Verstappen's best hopes at getting enough cars between himself and Norris to clinch his fifth-successive title, with the British driver only needing to finish on the podium to ensure he took home the crown.

It proved to be a masterclass from the constructors' champions, nullifying that threat and preventing the Red Bull driver from having any chance of employing gamesmanship until later in the 58-lap race — which he ultimately decided against anyway.

Norris came in early, navigating his way back through the field to put himself in position to win his maiden championship, stopping again later on to neutralise Charles Leclerc behind him.

After the chequered flag, he thanked Piastri for his role in forcing Verstappen to fight on two fronts, something Mekies labelled "quite clever" in his post-race debrief.

"We were, indeed, yes, we were," the Red Bull team principal replied when asked by media, including RacingNews365, if he was surprised to see the second McLaren start on the hard compound.

"I think it was quite clever from their side."

Reflecting on what it in turn meant for the Milton Keynes squad on its pit wall, he explained that it meant it was vulnerable from multiple angles, with McLaren able to enjoy greater tactical flexibility.

"It gave them a lot of options, and ultimately gave us two scenarios to battle for the win," the Frenchman said.

"So, yeah, we are not expecting it."