McLaren boss: Piastri didn't deliver, takes home lessons, not points
Andrea Stella stands fast on McLaren's racing principles. Photo: RacePictures.
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.
Andrea Stella, McLaren's team principal has revealed how his driver Oscar Piastri has faced the tough Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
Certainly there was more in the car and there was a possibility to fight for podiums for both Oscar and for Lando- Andrea Stella
After crashing out in Q3, jumping the start at the Grand Prix itself and then after five corners parking his car in the wall, Piastri's Azerbaijani race weekend came to an end.
Teammate Lando Norris' wasn't much better, qualifying P7 and finishing the race in that same position. "This was not a good day for both drivers for obvious reasons," said Stella after the race.
"Because even if perhaps this was not a weekend in which even maximizing things we could have beaten Max [Verstappen, Azerbaijan GP race winner], perhaps we could not, but certainly there was more in the car and there was a possibility to fight for podiums for both Oscar and for Lando," he added, stressing that the drivers did not deliver on the MCL39's potential.
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Oscar Piastri in Baku - Photo: Race Pictures
According to Stella, it's lesson learning time for Piastri, who, the Italian claims has already shifted his focus to the upcoming race, the Singapore Grand Prix.
"For Oscar, he comes out with no points and lots of learning," Stella said. "And I've already had a chat with Oscar and his mind is already fully functional, processing, he is already into 'that's what I've learned, I look forward to the next one.'"
The McLaren team principal then concluded mitigating somewhat his driver's race-ending mistake. "And also we said with Oscar that today, even without issues, it's not like there were many points available starting P9. So lots of learning for Oscar and no points."
McLaren heads into Baku amid Verstappen uncertainty
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While McLaren have argued since Max Verstappen's Azerbaijan GP win that the Dutchman is firmly back in contention for the championship, Red Bull Racing and the reigning world champion remain tight-lipped regarding their possibilities.
Although, the Austrian team's chief advisor Helmut Marko did reveal that Verstappen's win in Baku had revived their hopes.
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