The Italian has elevated the Woking-based team after years spent in the midfield and back of the grid. The work model and organization implemented by Andrea Stella allowed McLaren to triumph with the constructors’ title in the United Arab Emirates. Abu Dhabi, a circuit that has been something of a curse for Stella, now seems to symbolize his redemption following McLaren’s victory.
McLaren brought the constructors’ title back to Woking after years, competing fiercely with Ferrari, the English team’s historic rival. Over 24 races, with 6 wins and numerous podium finishes, the English team secured the constructors’ championship.
However, the victory in Abu Dhabi was far from guaranteed, with Ferrari just 21 points behind. Additionally, Andrea Stella’s history with the Arab circuit is fraught, dating back to 2010 when he was competing with Fernando Alonso for the drivers’ championship. That season remains one of the darkest chapters in Andrea Stella’s past, as the title slipped away due to a few points and a missed overtake.
In an interview at the end of testing, Andrea Stella shared his emotions about winning in Abu Dhabi. Reflecting on the achievement, he couldn’t avoid referencing 2010, when he battled with Alonso to the end from the engineers’ pit wall.
“14 years later, I’m definitely more at peace with Abu Dhabi. But as I’ve said before over time, Abu Dhabi 2010 remains the most painful experience for me professionally in F1. At the same time, over the years, I think Fernando and I have grown increasingly proud of what we achieved in the 2010 season.”
“I believe that experience gave us strength, resilience, learning, and all those qualities you sometimes gain only when you lose rather than win. I also think that what we achieved today, in this 2024 season, reflects some of that resilience, learning, and pride we drew from that experience. I must say, this is a very personal note. But in all my personal and professional successes, there will always be something stemming from my collaboration with Fernando. Working with him, you take away so much—so much that makes you better—that it becomes an asset in your future experiences, even when you no longer work with Fernando.”
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