Title: Andrea Stella’s Controversial Praise: Is Oscar Piastri the Star of McLaren Over Lando Norris Following Azerbaijan GP Wreck?
In a stunning turn of events at the 2025 Azerbaijan Grand Prix, McLaren’s Team Principal Andrea Stella has thrust Oscar Piastri into the spotlight—declaring him the “most solid, consistent driver” of the season, even after a catastrophic Lap 1 crash that left fans and pundits alike questioning his judgment. This bold endorsement comes with a palpable undertone of rivalry as it seemingly sidelines Lando Norris, who has been a formidable competitor for McLaren throughout the season.
Despite a disastrous weekend filled with mistakes—culminating in a crash at Turn 5 just moments after the race began—Piastri maintains a substantial lead in the championship standings, holding a 25-point advantage over Norris. The Australian driver’s misadventures didn’t end there; he also crashed during qualifying, marking a rare series of blunders for a driver known for his fluidity and control on the track.
Stella’s unwavering support for Piastri, despite this tumultuous performance, raises eyebrows. “A difficult weekend overall,” he stated during a post-race interview with Sky Sports F1. “Not a great qualifying yesterday and today we couldn’t improve the situation. Actually, we made it worse, if anything, with the crash that saw Oscar involved. Some uncharacteristic mistakes for Oscar. Hopefully, they were all accumulated in this event and now we will be clear for the rest of the season. He is probably the most solid, consistent driver so far, so hopefully, a one-off event for him.”
But could this glowing appraisal of Piastri be a deliberate dig at Norris? The dynamic within the McLaren team appears to be shifting, especially with Red Bull’s Max Verstappen charging back into contention. The reigning champion secured his second consecutive victory in Azerbaijan, reducing the championship gap to under 70 points. As Verstappen continues to dominate, the pressure mounts on McLaren, where every decision could have serious implications for their championship aspirations.
As the dust settles from the Azerbaijan GP, the drivers’ standings now see Piastri leading with 324 points, while Norris sits at 299. Verstappen, now back in the fray with 255 points, is breathing down their necks, proving that the battle for the title is far from over. McLaren, with a stronghold of 623 points in the constructors’ standings, is in a position to claim the title at the upcoming Singapore Grand Prix, but only if they can maintain their momentum amid rising tensions.
The racing world is abuzz with speculation following this latest twist in the 2025 season. With the Singapore Grand Prix looming from October 3-5, fans are eager to see if McLaren can rally together or if the internal dynamics will hinder their championship hopes. As for Piastri, can he rebound from this setback and continue to be the beacon of consistency that Stella claims? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: the stakes have never been higher, and the world will be watching intently.
