Stella confirms: McLaren’s driver management principles remain

Andrea Stella - Photo: RacePictures

Updated: 20:35, 19 Sep 2025

Pietro is a 19 years old aspiring F1 car designer with a great passion for Motorsport. He started following F1 thanks to his grandfather during the Sebastian Vettel era in Ferrari and then he totally fell in love for the 'circus' after Leclerc's win in Spa. He started working as a journalist during 2024 summer collaborating with F1inGenerale.com and writing for PaddockNews24.com, in which he achieved great results. In May 2025 he attended Emilia Romagna Grand Prix as F2 media accredited and during the summer he joined GPBlog.com looking forward to achieve every organisational, and personal, goal.

Even if McLaren is likely to clinch the Constructors’ Championship this weekend, team principal Andrea Stella explained the team will have the same approach in terms of the battle for the title between their two drivers.

McLaren in Baku - Photo: RacePictures.com

McLaren could be crowned constructors' champions this weekend at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.

When asked if anything will change in terms of the drivers' title battle once they secure that goal, the McLaren team boss replied:

"No. The approach to the Drivers’ title will not change. This is not dependent on the Constructors’. The way we go racing is dependent on the racing principles, on the values that we embody as McLaren Racing."

"Also is a reflection of the fact that we want to protect the unity of the team, which is a foundational condition for the future," he added..

Stella also addressed the reactions following their team orders at the Italian Grand Prix.

After a technical issue with a wheel gun caused a slow pit stop for Norris, the British driver returned to the track behind his teammate, Piastri. The Australian was then instructed to hand the position back.

"I think noise around racing situations is natural. Formula 1 is a very popular sport."

"What's important for us is that comments are respectful. And when they are respectful, we welcome them, we listen, we take them into account — even if ultimately what counts for us is not the external noise, but what we make of it internally and how we set ourselves to keep going racing."

McLaren trails after FP2 in Baku

After leading the first practice session in Azerbaijan, the Woking-based team had a difficult FP2 at the Baku City Circuit. While Ferrari secured a one-two finish, Norris and Piastri finished 10th and 12th respectively.

Pos.	Driver	Team	Points
1	Kimi Antonelli Kimi Antonelli	MercedesMER	156
2	Lewis Hamilton Lewis Hamilton	FerrariFER	115
3	George Russell George Russell	MercedesMER	106
4	Charles Leclerc Charles Leclerc	FerrariFER	75
5	Lando Norris Lando Norris	McLarenMCL	73
6	Oscar Piastri Oscar Piastri	McLarenMCL	70
7	Max Verstappen Max Verstappen	Red Bull RacingRBR	55
8	Isack Hadjar Isack Hadjar	Red Bull RacingRBR	37
9	Pierre Gasly Pierre Gasly	AlpineALP	32
10	Liam Lawson Liam Lawson	Racing BullsRCB	28
11	Franco Colapinto Franco Colapinto	AlpineALP	19
12	Oliver Bearman Oliver Bearman	HaasHAA	18
13	Arvid Lindblad Arvid Lindblad	Racing BullsRCB	14
14	Carlos Sainz Carlos Sainz	WilliamsWIL	6
15	Alexander Albon Alexander Albon	WilliamsWIL	5
16	Esteban Ocon Esteban Ocon	HaasHAA	3
17	Gabriel Bortoleto Gabriel Bortoleto	AudiAUD	2
18	Fernando Alonso Fernando Alonso	Aston MartinAST	1
19	Nico Hulkenberg Nico Hulkenberg	AudiAUD	0
20	Valtteri Bottas Valtteri Bottas	CadillacCAD	0
21	Sergio Perez Sergio Perez	CadillacCAD	0
22	Lance Stroll Lance Stroll	Aston MartinAST	0

Stella confirms: McLaren’s driver management principles remain

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