Andrea Stella, McLaren’s team principal, has cast doubt on Max Verstappen’s claim that retaining the championship title is “not realistic,” despite the Dutchman’s 62-point lead. Stella acknowledges Verstappen’s skill but suggests the McLaren team needs to capitalize more on Red Bull’s recent struggles.
McLaren secured a double podium at the Italian Grand Prix, narrowing Red Bull’s lead in the Constructors’ Championship by 22 points. Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri locked out the front row, while Verstappen, though the faster Red Bull driver, was nearly seven-tenths off Norris’ pole time, starting from the fourth row. In the race, McLaren looked poised for a 1-2 finish until Ferrari’s one-stop strategy allowed Charles Leclerc to steal the win. Nevertheless, McLaren took home 34 points, while Red Bull only managed 12, leaving an eight-point gap between the two teams.
Norris also made progress in the Drivers’ Championship, reducing Verstappen’s lead to 62 points. Despite Red Bull’s struggles, Verstappen told the media that turning their performance around quickly is “not easy” and that both titles are currently out of reach. Stella, however, dismissed Verstappen’s remarks.
“Max is good, even with his tongue, not just on the track,” Stella said, referring to Verstappen’s downbeat statements. He acknowledged that Red Bull’s car is presenting some challenges for the World Champion but believes McLaren should focus on capitalizing on these opportunities.
McLaren’s recent success has also brought up the issue of team orders, especially after Piastri’s aggressive move on Norris during the Italian GP. Though both adhered to the team’s “papaya rules” at the first chicane, Piastri’s attack for the lead at the second chicane nearly resulted in a collision. McLaren chose not to swap their drivers later in the race, even though it could have earned Norris an extra three points.
Stella hinted that team orders could come into play in future races, saying McLaren needs to better exploit the opportunities Red Bull is leaving open. He stressed the importance of ensuring both McLaren drivers are on board with any strategic decisions, noting that a balanced approach is crucial to the team’s success.
Stella is cautious about taking extreme measures, like Ferrari did in the past with Michael Schumacher, where one driver was given clear preferential treatment. He emphasized that racing values and common sense should guide team orders, and both drivers must support the approach for it to succeed.
With Red Bull faltering and McLaren closing the gap, Stella believes McLaren’s future lies in striking the right balance between competition and teamwork, while taking full advantage of their rivals’ vulnerabilities.
