Max Verstappen, the Red Bull Racing driver, took the lead early in the race during the Formula 1 World Championship at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix in Imola, Italy, on May 19, 2024.
Andrea Stella, the McLaren Team Director, praised Verstappen’s impressive starts as an underestimated asset that contributed to Red Bull’s recent dominance in Formula 1. Verstappen maintained his position at the top of the driver standings in the first quarter of the season, winning all but two of the first seven races. However, he faced a tough challenge from McLaren’s Lando Norris in Imola last weekend. Despite Norris’s late charge, Verstappen managed to hold onto his position thanks to his strong qualifying lap and excellent start.
Stella believes that Verstappen’s ability to consistently hold his position on the opening lap is not a coincidence, but rather a testament to Red Bull’s strategic execution. When asked whether Verstappen’s ability to pull away from Norris in the second phase was due to the power unit or software-related factors, Stella replied that it was not the case. He emphasized Verstappen’s consistency in his starts, noting that while he often secures pole position, he rarely loses it at the first corner. Stella attributes this consistency to the hard work done by the team.
Stella also expressed admiration for Red Bull’s ability to consistently win races, despite the many obstacles and challenges that may arise. He acknowledged that, even with operational issues during qualifying, Verstappen’s consistent starts are a result of the driver’s skill, tire preparation, and having a strong engine during the acceleration phase. Stella recognizes that gaining an advantage in reaction time, as Norris did, can make a difference, but Verstappen’s consistent starts prevent opponents from overtaking him. Overall, Stella emphasizes the importance of performing well in all aspects of the race to achieve success.
