McLaren aims to cement its legacy this weekend, with Andrea Stella confident in the team’s ability to deliver history-making results.
The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix could be historic for McLaren F1, well-positioned to secure its first world title since 2008, and even its first constructors’ championship since 1998. The British team holds a 21-point lead over Ferrari and appears strong at the start of the weekend.
However, it’s likely that nerves will be tested during qualifying and especially in the race for the Woking-based team. Yet its director, Andrea Stella, is confident: his team is ready to lift a trophy.
“On Thursday evening, I attended a meeting with the entire team. The message I wanted to share was how impressed I am by the maturity I see when interacting with every team member. We’ve experienced a steep and rapid trajectory. We had a lot to learn. It’s almost a change in status. For the team, in terms of competitiveness and objectives, I see people have learned very quickly, even in terms of mindset. This has allowed us to remain calm, focused, and full of energy in the recent races.”
Moreover, Stella believes that the 10-place grid penalty imposed on Charles Leclerc this weekend does not reduce the pressure on McLaren F1.
“Not at all. I assume you expected this answer. Not at all. We’re talking about Charles Leclerc. We’re talking about Ferrari. It’s a very strong combination. Even with the penalty, I wouldn’t be surprised to see them fighting for the top positions very quickly. So, nothing changes. We remain calm, focused, and full of energy.”
Stella has already won world titles with Ferrari in the past and must now try to add another to his record as a rival to the Scuderia. What would it mean to him? Would it be his greatest personal victory?
“McLaren is an iconic, prestigious team, one of the most important in Formula 1. We haven’t won a Constructors’ Championship since 1998. So, I think this means we would be making history. And for me personally, and for the entire team, we would be extremely proud to add to this great legacy.”
“Every goal is so difficult to achieve in Formula 1. It’s so competitive. But this would be completely different; the position would be completely different. When I was winning with Ferrari, Mattia Binotto was sitting next to me for some championships. And now, we are sitting next to each other in completely different roles and capacities. It’s very different, but it would certainly be one of the moments I’d be most proud of in my professional career.”
Passion is the same at McLaren F1 as at Ferrari
Andrea Stella has now been with McLaren F1 for ten years. What differences and similarities does he note between his current team and Ferrari?
“That’s an interesting question because when we talk about culture, there are many angles, many aspects to consider in defining it. But actually, before speaking of differences, I would say there are fundamental elements that are very, very similar: people’s commitment and passion.”
“Sometimes, I hear it said that a British team isn’t passionate, that it has a colder approach, which is absolutely not the case. You know, the motivation, the passion we have in the McLaren team is certainly comparable to what I was used to when I was at Ferrari. The pursuit of excellence is something they share. It’s easy to have a conversation with people saying we need to raise the bar, and everyone understands and does their best.”
“In fact, moving from one team to another, I didn’t have to think differently. What I found very powerful at McLaren is that when we agreed on solutions, when we identified common principles, rules, behaviors that could shape the culture, I think the team members, the people, were quite consistent in sticking to what had been agreed. In this sense, progress was facilitated. It was possible to advance based on plans. It was possible to progress based on what we had collectively agreed should be the team’s path forward.”
Stella has no intention of naming a number-one driver at the start of the 2025 season.
McLaren F1 could well be the favorite for the world titles in 2025, which might involve managing a potential internal rivalry between Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri. Should a number-one driver be named early on? Stella, however, plans to stick with the current approach.
“First of all, I hope you’re right. We really want to have that kind of problem. We’ve worked very hard to have a car capable of winning races and two drivers capable of winning races. And we know that in Formula 1, this always comes with complications. But these are complications we’ve already faced to some extent this season. I think we’ve always approached this consistently. Both drivers have always been fully aware that we need to find solutions that, first and foremost, prioritize the team’s interests and then those of the drivers. So far, I think this process has been very positive. It’s a process we intend to continue next season.”
“But before we think about that problem—though we call it a problem, it’s really more of an opportunity—our goal is to ensure that, from a technical standpoint, we give Lando and Oscar a car capable of fighting for the championship. Because if we had done that at the start of the season, without a few underperformances in the early races, we would have been able to fight for the Drivers’ Championship for much longer.”
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McLaren F1 is set to ‘make history’ this weekend, says Stella McLaren F1 is set to ‘make history’ this weekend, says Stella McLaren F1 is set to ‘make history’ this weekend, says Stella
