Stella on the mixed feelings of McLaren’s 1-2 at the F1 British GP

Andrea Stella and the whole McLaren team had the dream result at the F1 British GP. They finsished with a 1-2 for the fifth time this season.
Photo Credit: McLaren Racing
Spread the love

Andrea Stella and the whole McLaren team had the dream result at the F1 British GP. They finsished with a 1-2 for the fifth time this season.

However, the race was not plain sailing for McLaren after Oscar Piastri was handed a 10-second time penalty for erratic braking behind the safety car.

The 10-second time penalty meant Piastri lost the lead to his teammate Lando Norris. He would then go on to win his home race at the British Grand Prix.

Andrea Stella on the mixed emotions McLaren felt following the F1 British GP

After a flurry of questions about Piastri’s penalty, Stella was asked about Norris taking victory at his home race in Silverstone.

This is also the first time the British driver has achieved back-to-back victories in Formula 1.

“Certainly, looking at Lando’s enthusiasm and happiness, I think he definitely got the full experience.

“He knew that he drove very well today. In fairness to Lando, he lost a position because of a problem with the team.

“He was second at some stage and he ended up from a pitstop sequence, third.

“So, I think Lando has done his job. He has done it fair and square, no faults at all of his own. He drove very well, he drove fast, he found himself in the lead and he won the British Grand Prix.

“I think he should completely and fully enjoy this great experience and this immense joy.

“I’m sure on the in-lap he was crying and very deservedly and we shared this joy with him.”

While feeling happy for Norris, Stella also shared his frustration regarding Piastri’s pentalty.

“At the same time, we shared a little bit of bitterness that surely Oscar has been experiencing.

“But like i said, Oscar is a very tough guy. He will use this situation as extra motivation for the remainder of the season.”

Stella discusses the difference in performance from the McLaren drivers at different stages in the F1 British GP

During the F1 British GP, Oscar Piastri was able to create a large lead which he lost under the safety car when the rain was at its worst. He was over 13s ahead of Verstappen and Norris.

However, once the final Safety Car ended, Norris closed in on the Australian. A gap of 4s at one point was 1.5s before the switch to dry tyres happened.

When asked about the difference in the two drivers’ performance, Andrea Stella discussed that there were some “tactical elements” in play.

“I think the race today needs to be looked at. Especially in the first part of the race, not only from a pure speed point of view, but there were some tactical elements.

“We needed to get to a certain stage of the race where there could have been some more rain.

“So, I think Lando, when he saw that he was not in condition to take the lead, he started to save a bit more to make sure he had tyres to go through the rain that would have come at some stage.

“While Oscar decided to just go for the lead. In fairness to Oscar, he also had great speed.

“It’s not only the determination. You also have to be able to realise the lap times he was able to realise.

“And definitely in terms of racecraft, we know Oscar is very effective when he goes for and overtake and he did it today once again.

“So it’s not only the speed, but also what was the objective at that stage.

“And definitely with Lando, there was a good consideration of making sure that there were good tyres for when the rain would have come.

“Then actually everyone, once the rain came, decided to go for a new set, or most people decided to go for a new set of inters.

“But, you know, Oscar is a very fast, very strong, very determined driver.

“He proved that today. It didn’t lead to a win, but I’m sure it will lead to many more wins this season.”

The championship battle is getting ever closer between the McLaren drivers

After Norris’s win at the F1 British GP, the championship points gap between Oscar Piastri and the Brit is now at 8 points heading into Spa for the Belgian GP.