McLaren Team Principal Andrea Stella has shone a critical light on Max Verstappen’s driving style following a high-stakes collision with Lando Norris at the Austrian Grand Prix. The incident, which saw both drivers suffer punctures, has reignited debates about racing conduct and regulatory enforcement in Formula 1.
The collision occurred at the Red Bull Ring, handing an unexpected victory to George Russell, who capitalized on the chaos to secure the top podium spot. Verstappen’s aggressive maneuvers were deemed the sole cause of the clash, resulting in a 10-second penalty handed down by the stewards. Stella, however, believes this incident is symptomatic of broader issues that have lingered in the sport.
A Legacy of Aggression
Reflecting on the crash, Stella pointed to Verstappen’s history of aggressive driving, recounting similar scenarios during the Dutch driver’s 2021 title battle with Lewis Hamilton. “The entire population of the world knows who was responsible except for a group of people,” Stella remarked, hinting at a perceived leniency in past regulatory decisions.
Stella criticized the FIA’s previous handling of such incidents, suggesting that insufficient penalties have allowed aggressive driving to persist. “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,” he said, calling for a reassessment of racing rules.
Reevaluation of Racing Regulations
This incident, according to Stella, underscores the need for the FIA to reinforce its regulatory framework. He stressed the importance of setting clear boundaries to ensure fair and safe racing. “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,” Stella emphasized.
Stella noted that Verstappen’s aggressive tactics were evident before the collision with Norris. “Before this episode, twice he moved in braking. It is evident that we have to enforce the way to go racing,” he observed, advocating for stricter enforcement to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Consequences for McLaren
For McLaren and Norris, the collision resulted in lost points and a missed opportunity for victory, impacts that Stella was quick to lament. “For us, there's a lot of points gone. And a victory which I think Lando deserved to have the opportunity to have,” he reflected, highlighting the immediate ramifications for the team.
Despite the frustration, Stella sees the incident as a catalyst for positive change within the sport. He described the clash as a consequence of unresolved tensions from past seasons. “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,” he commented.
Looking Forward
Stella expressed a strong desire for Formula 1 to use this incident as a learning moment, pushing for clearer regulatory boundaries and stricter enforcement. “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,” he argued.
As the sport moves forward, Stella urges against allowing leniencies that could lead to recurrent dangerous maneuvers. “But we need to be very clear that these rules cannot be abused in a way that then leaves a margin to do a couple of times the same manoeuvre, and you know the third time there is going to be an accident,” he warned.
Ultimately, Stella’s vision for the sport is one of cleaner and fairer racing, devoid of the collisions that marred the Austrian Grand Prix. “It could have been Max, it could have been Lando. That's racing. But racing like with collisions, we don't like it,” he concluded, hoping for a future where regulatory clarity ensures the fairest possible competition on the track.