McLaren’s Stella: "It’s All Still in Play" Despite Norris’s Setback in B

McLaren’s Stella: “It’s All Still in Play” Despite Norris’s Setback in Brazil

McLaren Team Principal Andrea Stella kept a positive outlook following a challenging Sao Paulo Grand Prix, even as Lando Norris’s bid for the drivers’ title took a hit. Max Verstappen’s dominant victory in Brazil extended his lead over Norris, who started the race 44 points behind after securing three extra points with a Sprint win.

Norris began from pole position but faced setbacks immediately. He lost the lead to George Russell, was further hampered by a poorly-timed pit stop during a Virtual Safety Car (VSC) period, and slipped back further after running wide on a restart. Adding to McLaren’s frustrations, a red flag enabled Verstappen and the Alpine team to stay out on worn tires, benefitting from free pit stops that reshuffled the field and left Norris finishing in P6, with teammate Oscar Piastri in P8.

Despite the challenges, Stella congratulated Verstappen and Alpine for their performances, highlighting Verstappen’s strategic decision to remain on his original tires through the red flag stoppage as a crucial factor in his win. “It was one of the best victories of his career,” Stella noted, acknowledging the bold choices that gave Verstappen a clear advantage.

Stella was quick to defend McLaren’s own strategic calls. “I back the decisions we made,” he said, noting that the decision to pit Norris during the VSC was a cautious choice made collectively by the drivers, team pit wall, and technical staff. “Given the water on track and worn tires, we had to consider the constructors’ championship as well. Without the red flag, this race would have played out very differently.”

Indeed, McLaren’s cautious approach helped them extend their lead in the constructors’ championship, despite a difficult day where other top teams also struggled. While Ferrari suffered a DNF, Red Bull’s Sergio Perez failed to score, underscoring the challenging conditions and high stakes for every team.

Ultimately, Stella emphasized that McLaren remains firmly in contention in both championships. “It’s all still to play for,” he concluded, looking forward to future races with optimism.