McLaren’s Team Principal Andrea Stella has shed light on the contentious collision at the Austrian Grand Prix, suggesting that Max Verstappen’s driving style was a key factor in the incident. This collision, involving Verstappen and McLaren’s Lando Norris, resulted in punctures for both drivers and significantly altered the race's outcome.
The aftermath saw George Russell inheriting the lead and ultimately clinching victory at the Red Bull Ring, as Verstappen faced the consequences of his aggressive driving. Stewards deemed Verstappen solely responsible for the clash, penalizing him with a 10-second penalty.
Stella's Concerns on Verstappen's Driving Style
Stella did not hold back in his critique, asserting that this incident is part of a larger pattern of aggressive driving by Verstappen that has historical context. Reflecting on Verstappen’s contentious 2021 title battle with Lewis Hamilton, Stella remarked, "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 emphasized that Verstappen’s moves, especially during braking, were indicative of deeper issues within the sport’s regulatory framework. "Before this episode, twice he moved in braking. It is evident that we have to enforce the way to go racing," Stella noted.
Calls for Regulatory Reassessment
Stella passionately called on the FIA to take immediate action to prevent such incidents from recurring. Highlighting the necessity for robust and unequivocal regulations, he stated, "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 believes that past oversights have culminated in the current situation, leading to what he described as an "outburst." Stella pointed out, "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."
Impact on McLaren and the Need for Change
The incident had immediate and significant implications for McLaren and Lando Norris. Stella lamented the lost opportunity, revealing, "For us, there's a lot of points gone. And a victory which I think Lando deserved to have the opportunity to have."
Stella envisions this unfortunate event as a pivotal moment for the sport, advocating for stringent enforcement of existing rules. He contended, "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 firmly believes that clearer boundaries are essential to maintaining the integrity of the sport. "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 asserted.
Striving for Fair Racing
Despite the contentious nature of the collision, Stella's ultimate goal is to foster an environment of clean and fair racing. He concluded, "It could have been Max, it could have been Lando. That's racing. But racing like with collisions, we don't like it."
Stella's remarks underscore a broader call for reform within the sport, urging for a balance between competitive edge and safety. His perspective not only highlights immediate concerns but also offers a pathway for improvement, aiming to ensure that the thrilling world of Formula 1 racing remains fair and just for all competitors.