During Friday’s press conference in Imola, McLaren team principal Andrea Stella shared some thoughts on the team’s strong moment following the one-two finish by Piastri and Norris in Miami. The Italian engineer highlighted both the strengths of the MCL39 and the importance of continued development to remain competitive, without overlooking the internal balance between the two drivers.
“Speaking of Miami, I think we’re starting to understand the strengths of the MCL39, which is, overall, a competitive car. Under certain conditions, it seems to have an advantage over the rest of the field. These conditions were clearly present in Miami: the track layout, the speed range, the ambient temperatures – everything suited our car perfectly,” said Andrea Stella.
McLaren between the Miami secret and the need for updates
He then added: “But we know well that on other types of circuits, like Saudi Arabia or Japan, the situation changes: everything tightens up much more. So, we hope to be able to maintain these winning characteristics throughout the season. But to do that, we need to develop and update the car, because no one is standing still: we constantly see our rivals’ updates arriving on track.”
Despite its current dominance, McLaren must not lose ground. “We also have updates planned to make the MCL39 even more suited to a wider range of conditions and the demands of the season.”
Andrea Stella thus confirmed that McLaren doesn’t intend to rest on its laurels, but is already working on new solutions to extend the competitiveness of its technical package beyond the favorable environment found in Miami.
Internal management: harmony reigns between Norris and Piastri
Updates, but not only. Right now, McLaren is also managing two very strong drivers who could end up clashing. “The matter of internal competition between our two drivers is managed through principles and an approach we have defined as a team, together with the drivers themselves.
“I won’t go into detail, but I can say that everything has worked very well so far. This is also thanks to the kind of people Lando and Oscar are: not only are they very fast on track, but they are also fair and collaborative individuals. What matters is reacting as a team in the most constructive way possible. Having Lando and Oscar gives us great confidence in that sense.”
Words that confirm how McLaren is working not only on the technical side but also on the human front, cultivating a calm environment that can represent an additional strength in an increasingly competitive championship.
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