Andrea Stella, the seasoned figure now leading McLaren, has elevated the team back to prominence in Formula 1 in less than two years. Before his transition to McLaren, Stella spent 15 years at Scuderia Ferrari, contributing to the legendary team in various engineering roles, working alongside drivers like Michael Schumacher and Kimi Räikkönen. His move from Ferrari to McLaren in 2021, succeeding Andreas Seidl, was seen as a bold step in his career.
In a recent vodcast, Stella opened up about how Enzo Ferrari, the iconic founder of Scuderia Ferrari, might have reacted to his departure from Maranello to join McLaren. Stella’s career at Ferrari had been deeply influential, and the move to McLaren represented a new leadership challenge. While Stella was excited about the opportunity, he acknowledged that such a significant career shift might have sparked mixed emotions in the Ferrari camp.
Reflecting on his hypothetical conversation with Enzo Ferrari, Stella suggested that the legendary figure would have likely felt both pride and disappointment over his departure.
“After 15 years at Ferrari, I think his first reaction would probably be disappointment. He would say, ‘What is he doing there?’ On the other hand, I think—and hope—that secondly, he would be a little proud that someone who grew up at Ferrari learned what I learned and was then able to contribute to the growth of another team.”
Stella, who views Ferrari as an exceptional “school” that shaped his knowledge of racing and team dynamics, believes that Enzo Ferrari would understand the broader impact of the lessons learned at Maranello, even if they were applied at a rival team. While the move may have stung Ferrari purists, it’s clear that Stella’s education at Ferrari equipped him with the skills necessary to succeed at McLaren.
“I think he would be proud that Ferrari is such a great school that he can then go elsewhere and make a contribution. I think he would be torn between those two emotions,” Stella added, recognizing the mix of pride and disappointment that Ferrari might feel.
Under Stella’s guidance, McLaren has achieved an astonishing resurgence. The team, which had not led the Constructors’ Championship since 1998, now finds itself at the top of the standings with just six races remaining in the 2024 season. The breakthrough moment came when Lando Norris secured victory at the Miami Grand Prix, propelling McLaren into the title fight alongside Red Bull.
With standout performances from Norris and Oscar Piastri, McLaren has become the fastest team on the grid, a reality that even surprised Stella himself.
“Twelve months ago, I would never have thought I would be talking about fighting for titles. But this is the result of the work of a great team.”
However, despite their current lead in the Constructors’ Championship, McLaren remains in a fierce battle, with Red Bull just 41 points behind. With a month-long break before the next race in Austin, teams have time to develop their cars further, creating potential uncertainty for the final races of the season.
For Andrea Stella, the journey from Ferrari to McLaren has been transformative, and while he might have left Maranello behind, his time at Ferrari continues to influence his work. His success at McLaren is a testament to the racing knowledge and leadership skills he honed during his years with Ferrari—skills that are now driving McLaren back to the forefront of Formula 1.
