Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris

Stella exposes line that Piastri and Norris mustn't cross in ardent title fight

12:52, 31 Aug

Updated: 14:08, 31 Aug

byNorberto Mujica

Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri are currently the sole contenders for the driver’s title, and even though McLaren have often expressed a “free to race” policy over their drivers’ championship fight, the papaya team boss nuances the “freedom” available with some boundaries.

“Well, the way we go racing at McLaren is based on being respectful of some principles, of some values that we have defined for some time,” Stella said to media including GPblog after qualifying for the Dutch Grand Prix.

Drivers help shape the philosophy at McLaren

“It’s been the work of some time, it’s been the work that I’ve seen not only the team but also the drivers involved in these principles, rules of engagement and the conversations that we have and that ultimately define the way we go racing. They reflect the input from everyone.”

In Canada Norris rear-ended Piastri, and in Austria and last time out in Hungary, it was the Australian driver who nearly crashed into his teammate in close-call moments. Stella reaffirms that drivers “are not allowed to do what they want.”

“They are free to race in the sense that we want to give them the opportunity to express their talent, their abilities, their aspirations. But, for instance, this should always be made within the boundaries of team’s interest coming first.

Even the Constructors’ title won’t give Piastri and Norris carte blanche

“And the team interest may have different meaning depending on the situation. A condition you could summarize as ‘they are free to race, they can do whatever they want,’ I would say is not the present of how we go racing at McLaren, and will not be the future of how we go racing at McLaren. Even when we win, and if we win the Constructors’ Championship.

“This doesn’t mean that, in our view and in the drivers’ view, they are not free to race and express their talent and their aspirations. But this cannot be done in a way that is completely unregulated. This is also in their own interest, I would say, not only in the interest of the team,” Stella concluded.