McLaren’s team principal, Andrea Stella, isn’t easing off the throttle as his squad approaches the final six rounds of the season. Despite McLaren’s recent domination, winning three of the last four races—two of them emphatic victories by Lando Norris in Zandvoort and Singapore—Stella insists that the team must maintain an aggressive development approach.
Stella admitted that after such a dominant performance, there is a temptation to play it safe, especially with new upgrades. “After a race like that, you naturally think about being cautious,” he explained. “But Formula 1 isn’t a sport where you can rest. If you ease up, others will catch up, and we have no idea what their plans are.”
With Red Bull still posing a threat despite recent struggles and Ferrari showing flashes of competitiveness, Stella is adamant that McLaren must continue pushing the limits. “Even on tracks where Red Bull weren’t expected to perform, they still showed strength. We saw Ferrari’s pace in practice, and Leclerc’s final stint was competitive. We can’t be fooled by one race result.”
Norris’ victory in Singapore cut Max Verstappen’s lead by seven points, but Stella emphasized that it’s not just about the points but the performance. “While we hoped to gain more points, the real takeaway is our pace advantage. The speed we showed is a bigger boost for us moving forward.”
As the season heads into its final six rounds, including three sprint events, Stella remains focused. “It’s still in Max’s hands for the drivers’ championship, but the constructors’ title is within our control. Our car’s performance is encouraging, and that’s where our optimism lies. We’ve proven our capabilities, and now we need to continue pushing to close the gap.”
