Yup, it was just a very good strategy call (and a very poor one from McLaren).
Soft would have made the distance when they swapped. Easily. Only difference was a non rubbered track and effectively ‘green’ after the showers.
We can't say it worked in the final stint. They were just on a better tire. I have no doubt that if Mclaren and Merc were on hards, Ver would not have taken 2nd.