McLaren F1 debates limiting team photos to victories, as Stella questions if podiums alone remain significant enough to celebrate in 2024.
In its quest to return to the front, McLaren F1 had developed the habit of taking a team photo at the end of each podium achieved by one or both of its drivers. However, in 2024, the team has won six races and secured 21 podiums, leading its director, Andrea Stella, to consider reserving these photos exclusively for victories.
“Celebrating success is definitely part of building our culture,” Stella stated. “A podium is an important result, so we will assess it internally. We will also try to understand the team’s sentiment because what we want to do as a team must genuinely reflect how the team feels.”
“But we are definitely grounded people, and we want to continue recognizing and celebrating success, even if it is not necessarily a victory, because a podium in Formula 1 is always a very significant achievement.”
“And if we had this conversation with the media two years ago, it would still be something that made people say, ‘Wow, this is a massive achievement.’ But I hope you will soon find out what we have decided to do!”
Last year’s Constructors’ Champion, McLaren now has the first garage in the pit lane, a reminder of last season’s accomplishment.
“As for being the first garage, I’m sure every team member had that thought for a second.”
“I didn’t think it would be one of the implications or positive consequences of winning the championship. And I’m sure everyone in the team will have appreciated that realization.”
“But if I know my team well, I know it was only for a second, and the next second, we were saying, ‘OK, that’s great. Now, we have to do it all over again.’ That’s where professionalism and a focus on the present matter.”
“Let’s say it was true for a second, but that second is already gone. We’ve gotten used to it, and now we are fully focused on the present and the future.”
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McLaren’s Podium Tradition Under Review by Stella McLaren’s Podium Tradition Under Review by Stella