Max Verstappen

McLaren boss Stella blames the regulations for Piastri's defeat to Verstappen

13:17, 26 Jul

Updated: 15:01, 26 Jul

byNorberto Mujica

Max Verstappen and Red Bull made it work, and their low downforce setup paid off. However, McLaren boss Andrea Stella, believes that were it not for the regulations the outcome would've been different.

"This was a Sprint were not much happened apart from the situation at the start which is typical at Spa," Stella says referring to Verstappen using his low downforce setup and the tow provided by Oscar Piastri ahead to take a lead he would never relinquish going into Les Combes.

Stella blames the regulations for Piastri's loss

As the race went on, Piastri's attempts to get back at Verstappen proved futile with the Dutchman always managing to stay ahead of the Australian.

Even in the second sector, where the MCL39 proved so mighty in the Sprint qualifying yesterday, McLaren were answerless to Red Bull's gamble.

"In fairness, it was difficult to regain the position - not only because of [Verstappen's] top speed but we could not stay close enough in the second sector.

"This is a peculiarity of the maturity of the aerodynamics of the cars now," explained Stella, who had no choice but to acknowledge Red Bull's superiority.

"Hats off to Red Bull and Verstappen. They ultimately deserved the victory," Stella concluded.