Stella Criticizes Verstappen’s Driving After Austria Clash
In the aftermath of the Austrian Grand Prix, McLaren Team Principal Andrea Stella has attributed the collision between Max Verstappen and Lando Norris to Verstappen's aggressive driving style. The incident, which occurred at the Red Bull Ring, resulted in punctures for both drivers, altering the race's dynamic and ultimately leading to George Russell's victory.
Following the clash, stewards deemed Verstappen solely responsible and handed the Dutch driver a 10-second penalty. Stella was vocal about the ramifications, noting that this incident is part of a larger pattern in Verstappen's driving behavior. He emphasized the urgency for the FIA to reassess and reinforce its racing rules to prevent future collisions. "The entire population of the world knows who was responsible except for a group of people," Stella stated, underscoring his frustration with the incident's handling.
The Cost of Aggression
Stella highlighted past instances, particularly during Verstappen's title fight with Lewis Hamilton in 2021, where similar aggressive maneuvers were inadequately addressed. He stressed that the recurrence of such incidents indicates an unresolved issue within the sport. "If you don't address these things honestly, they will come back. They weren't addressed properly in the past when there were fights with Lewis that needed to be punished in a harsher way," Stella pointed out.
For McLaren, the immediate consequence was significant. The collision not only cost Norris valuable points but also robbed him of a potential victory. "For us, there's a lot of points gone. And a victory which I think Lando deserved to have the opportunity to have," expressed Stella. He implored the FIA to impose penalties that align with the severity of the outcomes, arguing for proportionality in rules enforcement. "The regulations must be enforced in a way that is effective. When a car is out of the race, as a consequence, then the punishment needs to be proportionate to the outcome," he said.
A Call for Clear Boundaries
Stella believes the incident at the Austrian Grand Prix is a stark reminder of the need for clearer boundaries and stricter rule enforcement. He called for an unwavering application of existing regulations to deter risky maneuvers that jeopardize safety and fairness. "Before this episode, twice he moved in braking. It is evident that we have to enforce the way to go racing," Stella remarked, emphasizing the repetitive nature of Verstappen's conduct.
This clash, he noted, is emblematic of a broader issue rooted in the sport's regulatory inconsistencies. Stella compared the situation to human dynamics, suggesting that neglecting to address violations cultivates a sense of injustice and fuels escalation. "In every kind of human dynamics, if you don't address things, as soon as you introduce competition, as soon as you introduce a sense of injustice, these things escalate. It's like anything," he explained.
Lessons from the Past
The McLaren boss is adamant that this incident should serve as a turning point for Formula 1. He described it as a continuation of unresolved issues from past seasons, where insufficient penalties have left a legacy of unchecked aggression. "Here there was incomplete job, let's say, that comes from the past, and is a legacy that as soon as there was a trigger, immediately there is an outburst," he observed.
Stella sees an opportunity for the FIA and the sport to tighten regulations and ensure they are enforced fairly and consistently. "So I think this one like I said before, this episode today should be taken as an opportunity to tighten up, to plump up the boundaries, and in fairness, enforcing some of the rules that are already in place," he suggested.
He emphasized the necessity of clear-cut rules that leave no room for manipulation, reiterating the need for consistent enforcement. "But we need to be very clear that these rules cannot be abused in a way that then leaves a margin to do a couple of times the same manoeuvre, and you know the third time there is going to be an accident," he asserted.
In closing, Stella expressed his desire for cleaner and fairer racing, devoid of collisions that compromise both safety and competition. "It could have been Max, it could have been Lando. That's racing. But racing like with collisions, we don't like it," he concluded, calling for a future where racing integrity is paramount.