Andrea Stella believes Verstappen should have faced FIA investigation, expressing frustration over the handling of the Austin incident.
Did McLaren F1 show naïveté yesterday during the Grand Prix in Austin?
During the duel between Max Verstappen and Lando Norris in the final laps, the Red Bull driver forced the McLaren F1 driver off track when he tried to overtake at Turn 12. The Briton managed to pass the Dutchman… but by going off track, earning him a 5-second penalty, dropping him to 4th place.
Andrea Stella, McLaren F1’s team principal, naturally disagreed with the penalty: didn’t Max Verstappen also exceed track limits?
“Using the position before the apex as a reference point to interpret the overtaking move isn’t the relevant part,” explains Stella (the FIA rule states that if a driver is behind before the apex, they cannot overtake off track).
“I think the defending car simply heads straight for the apex.”
“We reviewed the footage several times. Max’s car goes straight, off the track just as much as Lando, giving Lando no chance to complete the move.”
Stella then criticized Verstappen’s style: the Red Bull driver has a habit of defending just as aggressively, and a habit of not being penalized… like in Las Vegas last year against Charles Leclerc, or against Lewis Hamilton in Brazil in 2021.
“If I were a journalist, I’d do a bit of statistics. How many times has Max used this method to defend?”
“Both cars go off track. So, I think both cars gain an advantage if there’s an advantage to be had. For us, this move was at least neutral.”
But McLaren F1 could have been less naïve: Andrea Stella revealed that he initially thought it was Max Verstappen who was under investigation when the FIA launched their inquiry.
“When I saw there was an investigation, I was almost certain it was because Max had pushed Lando off the track,” he continued.
“In fact, we immediately told Oscar to make sure to close the five-second gap with Max because there might be a position at stake.”
“So, the interpretation of this situation between McLaren and the stewards is diametrically opposed.”
Andrea Stella also criticized the FIA for not even bothering to hear the drivers’ perspectives after the incident.
“I’m surprised the stewards didn’t feel the need to speak with the drivers after the race. It’s an uncertain situation.”
“Get the drivers’ opinions, take the time to assess the situation with the level of detail required when things aren’t so clear.”
“So, where is the urgency to change the result of a race that impacts the championship just because a decision needs to be made in 60 seconds?”
“That’s a question the stewards should address constructively and positively. Is it really necessary to make such a quick decision and, in our view, such a wrong one?”
Stella indicated that McLaren would not appeal the decision; however, he believes that the outrage in the paddock will push the FIA to evolve the rules.
“The decision cannot be appealed, so for us, the matter is closed,” he admitted.
“Myself, the drivers, the team—we are now moving on.”
“We hope the FIA and the stewards will review this case so that, in the future, we have better policies and better race management. We’re now focused on the next race.”
“I don’t think there’s any relevant new evidence for an appeal, as the only evidence we’ve used so far to evaluate our interpretation, which differs from the stewards’, is already available,” he added.
“So, if you open the right to review, I don’t think it will ever succeed because you don’t need new evidence. It’s just a matter of interpretation.”
McLaren F1 loses its edge over rivals
This Grand Prix in Austin could mark a turning point in the season, as McLaren F1 didn’t have the fastest car—perhaps even only the third-fastest, behind Ferrari and Red Bull.
Oscar Piastri, for example, only finished 5th, out of reach of Max Verstappen.
“A very tight race in Austin, as we anticipated with three different teams in contention for the win,” summarized Stella.
“It’s unfortunate that Lando’s race was first affected by Max pushing him at Turn 1. Then, after doing the hard work of reclaiming the position from Max, thanks to good pace and strategy, he lost the podium due to a penalty we don’t understand and disagree with. We believe it was an inappropriate way to alter the result of a race.”
“On Oscar’s side, it was a very well-executed race by him and the team, leading to a strong points haul. Now, we start fresh, turn the page, and focus on the next race.”
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FIA Decision Leaves Stella Questioning Verstappen’s Tactics FIA Decision Leaves Stella Questioning Verstappen’s Tactics
