Breaking:McLaren’s Andrea Stella Issues Bold Warning to Red Bull After Ver…read more 

McLaren’s Andrea Stella Issues Bold Warning to Red Bull After Ver…read more 

Max Verstappen’s victory at the 2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix was a statement of intent—not only for Red Bull’s title hopes but also for their resilience amidst increasing pressure from McLaren. Despite McLaren’s strong qualifying performance, Red Bull’s improved race pace and Verstappen’s bold driving proved decisive. However, comments from McLaren team principal Andrea Stella after the race suggest that the battle is far from over, and Red Bull may have cause for concern in the races to come.

Heading into the Imola weekend, McLaren had been riding high. Oscar Piastri had been in exceptional form, with three consecutive poles under his belt. He was poised to match a long-standing McLaren record set by the legendary Ayrton Senna—four straight wins at the wheel of a McLaren. Qualifying again showcased McLaren’s growing strength, with Piastri starting from pole and teammate Lando Norris close behind.

However, the race delivered a twist. Verstappen, starting just behind Piastri, executed a daring overtaking maneuver at the Tamburello corner—famously known as the spot where Senna tragically lost his life in 1994. The Dutch driver made the move stick, reminiscent of an earlier controversial overtake in Saudi Arabia, which had resulted in a penalty. This time, however, Verstappen’s move was clean, aggressive, and entirely within the rules.

Once in the lead, Verstappen demonstrated Red Bull’s improved race pace. He steadily pulled away, creating nearly a 10-second gap from both Piastri and Norris at different stages of the Grand Prix. This marked a notable turnaround for Red Bull, who have faced challenges with their car setup throughout the early part of the season. Their decision to bring minor upgrades to Imola paid off, suggesting that they may be regaining their edge as the season moves into its European phase.

Despite Red Bull’s success, McLaren remains undeterred. Team boss Andrea Stella offered a significant insight following the race, one that suggests the tide could still turn. Italian journalist Roberto Chinchero, speaking on the Motorsport.com Italy podcast, revealed the key remark made by Stella that may send a warning signal to Red Bull.

“From a technical point of view, he [Stella] did say something big,” Chinchero said. “Because in McLaren’s ideal conditions, Red Bull has shown they are capable of winning, which changes the scenario in the Drivers’ Championship.”

But Stella’s statement went further than mere analysis. According to Chinchero, Stella confidently declared: “So far it has been our opponents who have brought about many developments; our time will come too.” This remark hints at a wave of planned upgrades on McLaren’s side, potentially shifting the balance of power in the coming races.

The statement underscores McLaren’s strategy of patience and precision. While Red Bull may have pushed hard to address their early-season weaknesses, McLaren has been biding its time, focusing on optimizing their existing setup while preparing a significant round of developments.

With several races left in the European leg of the season, McLaren’s steady progress and looming upgrades suggest that the championship battle is far from decided. Red Bull may have triumphed in Imola, but the broader war is just beginning. Stella’s words indicate that McLaren is not only in the fight but believes they have yet to show their full potential.

As the season unfolds, all eyes will be on how McLaren’s upgrades affect performance—and whether Red Bull can maintain their momentum against a rival that is rapidly closing in. The stage is set for a gripping mid-season battle, and if Stella’s warning holds true, Red Bull will need to stay on high alert.