McLaren’s Team Principal Andrea Stella praised both of his drivers for how they handled themselves during the F1 Austrian GP. After a difficult Canadian GP—where Lando Norris collided with Oscar Piastri, though the Australian managed to escape unscathed—the Woking-based team bounced back to claim another one-two finish and their eighth win of the season.
Throughout the early stages of the race, Norris and Piastri showcased great race craft as the pair battled it out for the lead. However, it would be Norris’ day as he crossed the line to secure his third win of the season. After the disappointment in Canada, the Briton delivered a true redemption drive. Headed into Silverstone, Piastri and Norris are now just separated by a mere 15 points.
Following the end of the F1 Austrian GP, Stella spoke in a print media session on Norris and Piastri’s battle that unfolded throughout the race.
“Proud” of how both handled nail-biting battle during first stint
Stella praised both drivers for how they handled their on-track battle, calling it exactly the kind of racing any team would want to see. He expressed his pride in their performance and composure throughout the race.
“In terms of the battle between our two drivers, first of all, I would like to say that I am very proud of how our two drivers raced today. I think that’s pretty much exactly what we want to see as McLaren Formula 1 team.”
After the incident at the Canadian GP, Stella was pleased to see both drivers race cleanly. Under a framework of shared values and principles, the Italian felt that their performance at the Austrian GP reflected their ambitions perfectly.
“We are here to race. We want to give our two drivers the possibility to express their talent, achieve their aspirations, but this needs to be done within the principles and the approach that we have contributed to build together with our drivers. And I think today that’s what happened.”
Refreshed to see clean race craft from both drivers
Although both drivers exchanged moves early into their first stint, Piastri attempted a pass on Norris into Turn 4 that looked a little too close for comfort—something Stella pointed out. The Italian acknowledged the tense moment which had everyone squirming in their seats.
“There was only one situation in which the two cars ended up a little too close, which was in corner four, when Oscar locked up and he ended up very close to Lando. We gave Oscar this feedback. I don’t know if this went through on television or not.”
Stella confirmed that the team addressed the incident with Piastri afterward. He praised the Australian for owning up to the close call having apologised over the radio after the race concluded. Expressing how he felt encouraged by the team’s unified response after the Canada incident, Stella was proud of how they have bounced back stronger and more cohesive since.
“And I want to acknowledge and once again say that I am proud of Oscar because as soon as he crossed the finish line, he opened the radio and he said, sorry for the situation in corner four. My bad, I know what I have to do. So I think it’s all very clear.”
“I am so refreshed by how the team have reviewed the situation in Canada, which was a benign situation. It was just a misjudgment. And we have come out stronger and even more united from there.”
Team’s key concern with Piastri’s move was tyre lock-up
Stella was pleased that Piastri acknowledged and knew the risk of the move. He explained that the issue wasn’t just the attempted overtake, but rather locking up in that phase of the stint could have meant a loss of control—something the team takes seriously.
“I think the fact that Oscar acknowledged and he said that he was sorry for that situation means that he knew that, especially at that phase of the stint when your front tyres are quite aged, if you go for that gap, you may be not entirely in control of the car.”
“You may lock up. So I think the issue that I saw there is that the tyres were locked. And if you lock up, you lose control of the car.”
He emphasised that McLaren’s wants on-track battles between teammates to be defined by control and intention—not just unpredictable moments. Stella added that both the team and drivers always reviewed such situations with open and constructive conversations.
“And we don’t want now the proximity of the two cars being determined by something that we are not fully in control of. So I think that’s our interpretation, which I think coincides with the interpretation of Oscar. And from every situation, we will take the opportunity to review.”
“We do it together. The conversations are always very good and constructive. And we will thank you even more for the future.”
