McLaren team principal Andrea Stella has injected fresh intrigue into the F1 championship narrative by flatly refusing to dismiss Max Verstappen’s chances of seizing the title – despite the Red Bull driver languishing 94 points adrift.
This year’s title battle has been painted as an all-McLaren duel between Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris. But in Baku, Verstappen put himself firmly back in the spotlight by claiming his second consecutive pole position on a day when his direct rivals faltered.
Piastri crashed out at Turn 4, Norris brushed the wall through Turn 15, and Verstappen calmly delivered while others crumbled under the chaos.
For Stella, the message was clear on the eve of Sunday’s race: underestimate Verstappen at your peril.
“Well, the takeaway from the Monza race and the way we have reviewed this internally and set our mindset for the final third of the season, was that Red Bull’s performance in Monza should not be considered a one-off because of Monza, or because of low downforce,” Stella explained.
©RedBull
“They have taken a new floor to Monza. They might be setting up their car slightly differently. We hear now Verstappen talking about grounding much more than it was doing before.
“So they might have unlocked performance, and I would not be surprised at all that Red Bull continues the streak that they have started.
“Pole position in Monza, victory, pole position here, Red Bull are a very serious contender to win races and a very serious contender for the drivers’ championship.”
“A firm YES”
Pressed on whether he genuinely believes Verstappen can haul himself back into contention with just 224 points left on the table, Stella didn’t flinch.
“A firm YES. Can you write it in capitals? Because it was quoted in capitals,” he laughed, before doubling down.
“Of course, of course. We don’t have to forget that first of all he’s Max Verstappen – world champion for the last four years – in a fast car. Like I said before, there are races where McLaren may not enjoy any advantage from a competitiveness point of view.”
Stella also warned that with Norris and Piastri both chasing glory, they could split points, opening the door for Verstappen.
“Lando and Oscar are always there, so they won’t necessarily be maximising the points available,” he admitted.
“Sometimes it will be a little bit more points for Lando and a little bit more for Oscar, so they may take some points away from each other.
“We are very aware of this aspect, but we let them race because they both deserve to pursue their aspirations. Therefore, yes, Verstappen and Red Bull in contention for the drivers’ championship.”
The Bigger Picture
Stella’s words raised a few eyebrows in the paddock, but they reflect a growing sentiment: Red Bull’s Monza resurgence wasn’t a fluke.
With Verstappen back on pole and a car that appears newly invigorated, McLaren’s “civil war” may not remain a two-horse contest for long.
The numbers still look daunting, but if anyone knows how to bend them to his will, it’s Verstappen. And with McLaren’s drivers potentially tripping over one another in the hunt for glory, Stella’s warning is less outlandish than it sounds.
In other words: the title race might just have room for one more.
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