In a thrilling race at Imola, the McLaren team faced both triumph and disappointment as they secured two podium finishes but missed out on the top spot once again. Team principal Andrea Stella shared his insights on the intense competition, praising Red Bull’s performance and emphasizing the need for strategic racing on the challenging circuit.
Stella commended Max Verstappen and the Red Bull team for their exceptional pace and competitive edge during the Grand Prix. Despite McLaren’s efforts to challenge the leading Red Bull, they fell short in matching their rival’s performance on the track. Stella acknowledged the surprises brought by Red Bull’s strong race pace, admitting that McLaren was unable to capitalize on any potential weaknesses in their opponent’s strategy.
The McLaren principal also highlighted the element of luck in racing, noting Ferrari’s fortunate outcome with the late Safety Car deployment. While the Safety Car provided an opportunity for McLaren to make a final push, Stella acknowledged that they lacked the necessary pace to overtake their competitors effectively. Even with Lando Norris’s successful overtaking of Oscar Piastri post-restart, Verstappen’s consistent lap times made it nearly impossible to challenge him for the lead.
Looking ahead, Stella teased upcoming upgrades for the McLaren MCL39, aiming to enhance the team’s competitiveness in future races. With other teams like Red Bull and Aston Martin introducing new developments, Stella emphasized the need for McLaren to stay proactive and innovative to remain in the title contention. Despite the challenges faced, Stella maintained his team’s commitment to pushing the limits and striving for excellence in the ongoing championship battle.