Verstappen Dominates; McLaren Clings to Hope

McLaren races against odds as Verstappen controls the season, with no guarantees from the team.

Andrea Stella wished McLaren could have gained more points over Max Verstappen in the championship, as the Red Bull driver finished second, behind Lando Norris. According to him, McLaren has no control over the drivers’ championship.

“From a numerical standpoint, it’s a bit frustrating because we could have left Singapore having gained more points on Max,” Stella admits. “I think Ferrari could have finished ahead of Max, and I even believe Oscar [Piastri], with a bit of fine-tuning in his qualifying laps, could have ended up in front of Max.”

“However, the positives that come from the pace of the car definitely overcome such frustrations, I think, when you have that kind of pace. We are heading into the next six events, three of which are Sprint events. So, I think it’s not in our hands, as it’s always in Max’s hands.”

“Likewise, the constructors’ championship is more in our hands, honestly. But I think we leave potentially encouraged and even more optimistic about the fact that the drivers’ championship is possible due to the car’s performance.”

Slotting other drivers ahead of Verstappen

While noting that Red Bull minimizes losses, Stella explained that he hopes to see several drivers position themselves between Verstappen and Pérez: “Once again, your numerical observation is correct. But in terms of controlling the emotional flow, there’s not much you can do if you say, ‘oh, emotionally, I would like that.'”

“We just have to go to the next race and maximize the Sprint and the main race, ensuring that both drivers finish ahead of Max. And if we are able to make improvements, the mission will be even easier. So, I think it’s still in your hands if you have two cars ahead of Max.”

“I think we need to recognize that if we maximize the potential of the car now, finishing with two cars ahead of Max is possible. That’s what makes us optimistic. But the reality is that as soon as you start a weekend, you enter into the weekend’s rhythm and there are difficulties.”

“There are so many things that need to be controlled to perform well over a race weekend that the numerical exercise is valid, I think, only when you are away from the weekends. I think as soon as you are in a weekend, you need to focus fully, maximize the potential.”