McLaren Team Principal Andrea Stella has pointed to Max Verstappen’s driving style as the primary cause of a collision with Lando Norris at the Austrian Grand Prix. The incident, which left both drivers with punctures, cast a shadow over the race and reignited discussions about racing regulations.
Collision and Consequences
The collision occurred at the Red Bull Ring, resulting in immediate repercussions for both drivers. With Verstappen and Norris forced to make pit stops, George Russell took advantage of the situation, inheriting the lead and eventually clinching victory. Verstappen received a 10-second penalty, with the stewards holding him solely responsible for the clash.
Andrea Stella didn’t mince words when discussing the incident. "The entire population of the world knows who was responsible except for a group of people," Stella remarked, highlighting his frustration not only with the accident but also with what he perceives as a pattern of aggressive driving by Verstappen.
Historical Context and Regulatory Concerns
Stella drew parallels to previous incidents, notably during Verstappen's title battle with Lewis Hamilton in 2021. According to Stella, these earlier confrontations were not adequately addressed. "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 stated.
There is a recurring concern in Stella’s critique: the enforcement of racing rules. He called upon the FIA to reassess and reinforce its regulations, advocating for proportional penalties that reflect the serious consequences of such incidents. "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 stressed.
A Pattern of Aggression
Stella was keen to note that Verstappen’s aggressive tactics are not isolated events. "Before this episode, twice he moved in braking. It is evident that we have to enforce the way to go racing," he mentioned, emphasizing the need for clear and consistently applied rules to prevent repeat offenses.
The McLaren principal's statements indicate that lingering issues from past seasons have contributed to the current climate on the track. "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 observed, suggesting that unresolved grievances can escalate quickly under competitive pressures.
Call for Change
Stella sees the recent incident as a pivotal moment for the sport's regulatory framework. "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 proposed. He underscored the necessity for unambiguous rules that prevent loopholes which drivers might exploit. "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 maneuver, and you know the third time there is going to be an accident," Stella added.
Impact on McLaren
The collision had immediate and significant consequences for McLaren, costing them valuable points and a potential victory. "For us, there's a lot of points gone. And a victory which I think Lando deserved to have the opportunity to have," Stella expressed, reflecting the missed opportunity for Norris.
Moving forward, Stella has expressed a strong desire for cleaner racing. "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, encapsulating a sentiment likely shared by many within the sport.