Stella refuses to count Verstappen out: 'Max is Max'

22:01, 07 Nov

Updated: 23:24, 07 Nov

byOlly Darcy

McLaren team principal Andrea Stella refuses to count out Max Verstappen and others battling Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix.

"I think all the conditions are present for a very entertaining sprint weekend."

- Max Verstappen

Norris brought his fine form from the Mexico City Grand Prix to Interlagos, taking pole position for Saturday's sprint race ahead of Kimi Antonelli, while Piastri rounded out the top three.

But despite the continued form from the Brit, Stella is still keeping an eye out around him, with George Russell, Fernando Alonso, and a disappointed Max Verstappen all on the Italian's radar.

"Well, the drivers have been extremely close in free practice one, extremely close in qualifying. I think that's the story of the entire season, in fairness, between Lando and Oscar," Stella explained to Sky Sports after sprint qualifying.

Lando Norris looks to increase his single point lead over Oscar Piastri at the Brazil GP this weekend - Photo: Race Pictures

"It's good and it's good that they are close and the car is fast. It's a good position to start some of the competitive sessions in this sprint weekend. But it's also close to our competition.

Together with Mercedes and two-time world champion Fernando Alonso, Stella also pointed out title rival Max Verstappen as another driver to watch tomorrow.

"Verstappen, we know, is Verstappen; he's going to be there tomorrow. So I think all the conditions are present for a very entertaining sprint weekend."

The weather will also throw a spanner in the works in São Paulo, with a cyclone expected to hit and bring 30 to 60 millimetres of rain per hour, along with huge gusts of wind.

Piastri closes the time gap to Norris

Piastri's P3 in sprint qualifying will be a nice boost after a slump in his current form, with the Australian still searching for his first win since the Dutch Grand Prix.

After admitting that his driving style had to be altered due to some struggles with his papaya-coloured machine, Stella has seen the 24-year-old find his feet once again.

"I think in Austin and in Mexico, there were some technical reasons why Oscar's adaptation of his natural style did not produce the lap times," continued the team principal.

Oscar Piastri in acton at the Brazil Grand Prix - Photo: Race Pictures

"We reviewed that already in Mexico, after qualifying. Already in the race, Oscar was quite fast. He couldn't prove it because of the traffic. I think here in Brazil, he's back to his form.

"I'm sure he wants to polish one tenth more. It's a shame he had a little mistake in his first attempt in Turn 1."

The McLaren team boss then concluded about the weather conditions: "We are in Interlagos, so the it is always going to be a factor. In addition to the speed, we'll have to be good with the operation, with the execution, with the strategic goals."

GPblog's latest F1 Paddock Update

Want to stay up-to-date with what happens in the F1 paddock? Then GPblog's F1 Paddock Update video is the perfect way to do it. Subscribe to GPblog's YouTube channel and turn on notifications to never miss the latest episodes.