In the McLaren Formula 1 team, there is a fierce battle underway for the 2025 World Championship title. Andrea Stella, the Team Principal of McLaren Racing, has revealed who truly holds the position of the number one driver within the papaya-colored team.
Andrea Stella explained the main reasons behind the British team’s extraordinary 2025 season. According to Stella, the key factor has been the pace of technical development. McLaren has continuously introduced updates and upgrades to their car, establishing a faster rate of progress than any other Formula 1 team this year. Each new technical package has delivered significant improvements which, taken together, have ensured consistent competitiveness throughout the season.
Stella stated, “We have managed to improve constantly, an upward curve that I hadn’t seen for a long time, not even when I was at Ferrari. We don’t have superstars, we have a team. It is the team culture that makes the difference.”
Lando Norris versus Oscar Piastri: who is McLaren’s number one?
The McLaren Team Principal also addressed the management of the team’s drivers, which is one of the most delicate and important aspects for a team competing for the championship. Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri are very close in terms of performance, and Andrea Stella made it clear that he does not have a preference between the two young drivers.
He said, “There is no number one and number two driver here. The difference between them? Only the math will decide that. The margin will be a matter of millimeters: a perfect strategy, a flawless pit stop, a clean flying lap. Both drivers have access to the exact same technical resources, and the team works hard to ensure absolute fairness.”
Stella suggests more engaging free practice sessions to boost the show
Andrea Stella also spoke about the current direction Formula 1 is taking under the leadership of Liberty Media and CEO Stefano Domenicali.
He commented, “I believe Liberty Media and Stefano Domenicali are doing an excellent job. We need to keep innovating. Sprint races can work, but the right balance must be found. We could make the free practice sessions more engaging to increase the spectacle and excitement for fans.”
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