F1 | Andrea Stella explains why McLaren is no longer worried about Las Vegas. McLaren Team Principal Andrea Stella explains why the Las Vegas Grand Prix should no longer be a problem.

Andrea Stella has distanced McLaren from the issues that affected the team during last year’s Las Vegas Grand Prix. After a period without victories, Lando Norris brought the MCL39 back to the top step of the podium with an impressive win in Mexico. However, in the final four races of the season, McLaren could face some challenges, particularly in Las Vegas, where conditions are significantly different from most circuits. Stella, however, emphasized that the problem the team experienced on the Nevada track in 2024 should now be a thing of the past.

The low temperatures recorded in the American city had caused major difficulties for the Woking-based team, particularly due to tire graining. This threat, according to Andrea Stella, should not reappear this season, which would be a considerable advantage for McLaren as they continue their fight in the constructors’ standings.

The tire question

Speaking to the media after the Mexican Grand Prix, as reported by Motorsport.com, Andrea Stella discussed the tire situation. Las Vegas is not an entirely favorable circuit for McLaren, at least on paper, and it could prove to be the team’s most challenging weekend between now and the season finale in Abu Dhabi, despite their dominant form in the constructors’ championship.

“Vegas proved to be a complicated challenge for us. Last year we weren’t competitive. We had to learn several things during the race, just to try making changes and stop the graining,” said the McLaren Team Principal.

“This season the tires are showing much less graining, so it could be quite different in that respect. It will be interesting to see,” he added. Andrea Stella explained that the team’s main focus will be on putting both drivers in the most optimal conditions possible to achieve the best results.

Historically, throughout the 2025 season, McLaren has achieved its strongest results when track temperatures were higher. Under these conditions, rival teams tend to struggle more with thermal tire degradation, giving the British team a clear advantage. Last year, Mercedes completely dominated on this circuit, and it will be intriguing to see whether that scenario could repeat itself this time around, especially with Red Bull and Ferrari also in the mix.