Like the old days? McLaren boss acknowledges the big red threat
Charles Leclerc
Updated:
0 Comments
A filmmaker with a soft spot for Ronnie Peterson, Gilles Villeneuve, Mika Hakkinen and above all, Tazio Nuvolari and Ayrton Senna, is also a diehard Formula One fan since the age of 4 (mid-90's). An avid researcher of the past of Grand Prix Racing since before it was even named F1, and with a thirst for knowledge of the ins and outs of the actuality of the sport, as well as for the technical aspects that define it, is a member of GPblog since 2023, where he has put his love of racing to good use.
F1 seems to be re-entering a remix of it's 'greatest hits': Ferrari Vs McLaren. At least that is what can be reduced from the words of the British team.
In Hungary, McLaren's pace seemed uncontested and unchallenged. Until Charles Leclerc, driver for the Scuderia who's racked up 5 podiums this season so far, blindsided the Woking-based outfit snatching pole in the dying moments of qualifying from Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris.
The next day during the race, Leclerc was able to successfully defend his pole position at the start and maintain the lead for the first two stints of the race.
When asked, after the race, which due to issues in Leclerc's Ferrari SF-25 resulted in a Norris-led McLaren 1-2, if he was surprised by Ferrari's pace, Stella gave a candid reply, as usual.
Charles Leclerc after his pole position in Hungary
ADVERTISEMENT
Stella not surprised by Ferrari in 'not holding back' claim
"Not surprised, because Ferrari have been competitive over the last few races.
"They were competitive in the rain in Silverstone, they were competitive in Belgium. Somehow this wasn't expressed fully.
"I think we saw yesterday that they were in condition to score the pole position."
Stella then reflects on the race and admits Piastri was holding nothing back when in pursuit of Leclerc.
ADVERTISEMENT
"And today, it's not like in the first stint we were holding back.
"We were trying to go as fast as possible and Leclerc was managing the lead of the race with some degree of control. So I'm not surprised.
Don’t miss GPblog in Google
Mark us as a preferred source and our articles will appear more often at the top of Top Stories.
Add as a preferred / source on Google
