Andrea Stella, McLaren team principal, praises Red Bull and explains when he realized Verstappen would win the race.
Andrea Stella, McLaren Team Principal, candidly commented on his team’s performance at the 2025 Imola GP, acknowledging the merits of Red Bull and especially Max Verstappen, who delivered a perfect race from the moment the lights went out. The Italian engineer highlighted how the characteristics of the Emilia circuit enhanced the RB20, which managed to redeem a difficult weekend in Miami.
“We came from a weekend like Miami where our pace was very strong,” Stella began with media in the paddock. “However, we knew Imola, with its fast layout, could prove more balanced. But we have to be honest: Red Bull surprised us. They were very competitive. Congratulations to Max and the team.”
Andrea Stella recognized that the victory was essentially decided at the first corner, when Verstappen defended his position against Oscar Piastri. “After that incident, we tried to chase him, but our pace was never enough to really threaten him.”
The Role of Tires, a Less Effective Strategy Than Expected
The Team Principal also explained the logic behind the strategic choices that differentiated the two McLaren drivers. While Lando Norris opted for a one-stop, Oscar Piastri attempted a risky two-stop with hard tires, which proved less effective than expected.
“We wanted to create the conditions to beat Max. The alternative strategy was the only option. It’s a pity the hard tires didn’t provide the expected advantage.”
Andrea Stella wanted to emphasize Red Bull’s development ability, which adapted better to Imola’s high speeds compared to more technical circuits like Miami.
“I believe Red Bull has made a step forward in recent races. Imola’s layout highlighted their qualities. The high-speed sections are an area where today they had a clear advantage over us,” concluded the McLaren team principal.
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