McLaren Team Principal Andrea Stella has hit back at accusations that the Woking-based squad breached Formula 1 regulations during the 2024 season, dismissing them as “misinformation” and “noise.” The fiery response comes after reigning champion Max Verstappen hinted that Red Bull’s rivals may have bent the rules, citing McLaren’s controversial dominance across several races.
F1 2024: A Season Plagued by Technical Controversy
The 2024 Formula 1 season was rife with whispers of alleged rule-breaking, with McLaren finding itself at the center of controversies surrounding flexible wings, mini-DRS mechanisms, and even water-injected tyres. While McLaren became a consistent challenger for wins, these allegations cast a shadow over their remarkable resurgence.
Red Bull led the charge against McLaren, claiming their flexing front and rear wings gave an unfair aerodynamic advantage and accusing them of using a water injection system to cool tyres. Verstappen, never shy to voice his concerns, implied that such practices cost Red Bull crucial points.
“There were things that happened in the background, which meant that we had no chance at all in certain races,” Verstappen told De Telegraaf. “I know that for sure, but no one will ever admit that.”
Andrea Stella: ‘We Followed the Rules’
Stella firmly denied any wrongdoing, emphasizing that McLaren played by the book throughout the season. He dismissed the allegations as distractions typical for teams competing at the top level.
“What is difficult, even if you get familiar with racing at the top, is to handle the noise and distractions that come either internally or externally,” Stella said. “You want to keep staying focused.”
The FIA conducted investigations into Red Bull’s claims but found no evidence of rule violations regarding flexible wings or water injection systems. However, McLaren was forced to revise its rear wing setup after the governing body deemed it created an illegal mini-DRS effect.
Water Injection Allegations ‘Made No Sense’
One of the season’s strangest accusations involved McLaren allegedly using water-injected tyres to gain a competitive edge. Stella dismissed the claim as baseless and nonsensical.
“Sometimes, like we have seen with the case of the water in the tyres, you have to deal with misinformation—things that don’t make any sense,” Stella remarked. “And yet they become news.”
McLaren’s Rise and Red Bull’s Frustrations
McLaren’s resurgence in 2024 disrupted the Red Bull-Mercedes-Ferrari dominance of recent years, leading to heightened scrutiny from rivals. While McLaren narrowly missed out on both the Drivers’ and Constructors’ Championships, their competitive edge exposed them to what Stella described as the “new dimensions” of racing at the top.
“When you become a consistent headline, distractions and allegations are part of the territory,” Stella said. “We had to learn how to manage that noise effectively.”
The Road Ahead
As McLaren prepares for 2025, the team is focusing on consolidating its gains and avoiding unnecessary distractions. For Stella, the allegations of 2024 underscore one thing: McLaren’s reemergence as a true F1 powerhouse. Whether these controversies linger into the next season or fade into the rearview mirror, one thing is clear—McLaren isn’t backing down.