McLaren CEO Andrea Stella has detailed how the perceived “risk” of a safety car influenced the decision not to undercut Max Verstappen and Lando Norris at the Japanese Grand Prix.
Verstappen was leading the race from pole position, with Norris trailing by a second at Suzuka, which is typically excellent territory for the second car to attempt an undercut on the one in front by pitting a lap earlier.
Norris was summoned to the pits in a fake attempt on Verstappen, and both entered on lap 21, with Norris driving onto the grass on the pit exit after attempting to pass the Dutchman.
Stella, on the other hand, proceeded with extreme caution.
“We could have, but it is unclear whether we would have,” Stella told RacingNews365 when asked if the team could have undercut Red Bull.
“I believe pitting Lando would have prevented us from pitting Oscar, which would have caused problems for Oscar, who would have had to wait, as well as the cars that had just pitted, particularly Russell.
“We will surely investigate the time gaps to see whether there was a possibility of an undercut with Lando on Max.
“We should not forget, however, that giving up track position exposes the vehicle you pit to a safety car danger, and Lando would have lost positions in a safety car, if one was used.
“In retrospect, with no safety cars, you think, ‘Oh, I should have gone for an undercut,’ but it comes with some dangers; if we lose a position with a safety car, it’s lost. I doubt we could have overtaken a Ferrari or a Mercedes today.”
