McLaren Team Principal Andrea Stella has recently criticized Max Verstappen's driving style, suggesting it led to the collision with Lando Norris at the Austrian Grand Prix. This incident not only caused a puncture for both drivers but also impacted the race's outcome significantly.
The collision came at a critical point during the race, ultimately resulting in George Russell inheriting the lead and taking a surprise victory at the Red Bull Ring. The race stewards deemed Verstappen solely responsible for the clash, handing him a 10-second penalty.
Calls for Regulatory Reassessment
Stella strongly voiced his discontent with how similar past incidents have been managed, pointing to previous clashes involving Verstappen, particularly during his 2021 title battle with Lewis Hamilton. "If you don't address these things honestly, they will come back. They weren't addressed properly in the past when there were fights with Lewis that needed to be punished in a harsher way," Stella remarked, emphasizing the need for more stringent enforcement of racing regulations.
The McLaren principal. highlighted that Verstappen’s aggressive driving is not a new issue. "Before this episode, twice he moved in braking. It is evident that we have to enforce the way to go racing," he noted, underscoring that such driving behaviors must be curtailed to prevent recurrent incidents.
Impact on McLaren and the Sport
The incident's immediate consequences for McLaren and Norris were significant, leading to lost points and a missed opportunity for a potential race victory. Stella lamented the situation, saying, "For us, there's a lot of points gone. And a victory which I think Lando deserved to have the opportunity to have."
Stella also expressed his desire for racing to be clean and fair, devoid of unnecessary collisions. "It could have been Max, it could have been Lando. That's racing. But racing like with collisions, we don't like it," he stated, reflecting on the broader implications for the sport.
Opportunity for Improvement
Stella sees this incident as a crucial opportunity for the FIA and the sport to reflect and improve. "In every kind of human dynamics, if you don't address things, as soon as you introduce competition, as soon as you introduce a sense of injustice, these things escalate. It's like anything," he said, calling for a reassessment and reinforcement of the regulations to ensure a fairer racing environment.
"Here there was incomplete job, let's say, that comes from the past, and is a legacy that as soon as there was a trigger, immediately there is an outburst," Stella commented, pointing out that unresolved issues from previous seasons have contributed to the current situation.
Stella urges the governing body to establish clearer boundaries and enforce regulations unequivocally. "The regulations must be enforced in a way that is effective. When a car is out of the race, as a consequence, then the punishment needs to be proportionate to the outcome," he asserted.
The McLaren principal believes that by addressing these issues openly and seriously, the sport can prevent similar incidents in the future. "So I think this one like I said before, this episode today should be taken as an opportunity to tighten up, to plump up the boundaries, and in fairness, enforcing some of the rules that are already in place," Stella suggested, emphasizing the need for consistent and fair application of the rules to maintain integrity in racing.
Stella's comments reflect a broader frustration within the sport regarding regulatory enforcement and driver conduct. As Formula 1 continues to evolve, addressing these issues will be crucial in ensuring a fair and competitive environment for all teams and drivers involved.