McLaren locked out the front row with Oscar Piastri on pole and Lando Norris alongside, but Verstappen surged to second at the start. A lap seven collision between Nico Hulkenberg and Pierre Gasly triggered the safety car, prompting nearly every team to swap tires while McLaren stayed out with both cars.​

The decision backfired immediately as the field gained a free stop in a race mandating two stops due to 25 lap tire limits, leaving Piastri and Norris committed to extra visits later.

Verstappen, pitting later, capitalized on cleaner air and fresher rubber to pull away for the win, with Piastri settling for second and Norris clawing to fourth after passing Kimi Antonelli late.​

Team Principals Own the Mistake

Andrea Stella and Zak Brown admitted post race they misread the field, expecting fewer rivals to pit and fearing delays in their tight pit box near the entrance.

Norris expressed frustration over the airwaves, later calling it a missed chance to bury Verstappen's title hopes, while Piastri stewed over a probable victory slipping away.​

Leaders conceded the call stemmed from over optimism rather than data, a rare lapse for a team dominant in recent rounds. Verstappen called it an "interesting move" that played into his hands perfectly.​

Title Drama Heads to Abu Dhabi

Norris leads Verstappen by 12 points at 408 to 396, with Piastri four back at 392 and 25 points available in the finale. Verstappen needs a win and Norris outside fourth to clinch his fifth straight crown, while Piastri must triumph and hope for teammate trouble.​

Fans unleashed fury online, labeling it McLaren's worst blunder of the year and questioning the papaya strategy group's judgment under pressure.

The error turns Yas Marina into a high stakes decider, where McLaren must rebound to secure either drivers' crown after handing Verstappen renewed momentum.