Andrea Stella accuses F1 rival of ‘trying to create stories’ as McLaren boss fires warning

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Andrea Stella has now put Formula 1 teams on alert with the McLaren boss clear there is ‘definitely’ reason to talk to the FIA, rather than make ‘stories’ like some rival crews.

The Italian may be the person to bring success back to Woking this year, with McLaren trying to claim their first constructors’ title since 1998 and drivers’ championship since 2008. Lewis Hamilton was the last driver to be crowned as a world champion while racing with McLaren.

Lando Norris is trying to follow his British compatriot by winning an F1 title with McLaren as he chases down a 52-point deficit to Red Bull rival Max Verstappen with six rounds to go. He has to outscore the Dutchman by 8.6 points per round over six Grand Prix and three Sprints.

Andrea Stella is happy for Red Bull to waste energy protesting McLaren’s car

McLaren are also fighting to dethrone Red Bull from their status as constructors’ champions. The team from Milton Keynes have taken the last two titles but trail their rivals from Woking by 41 points. Their fight has also extended off the track as the year approaches a conclusion.

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner was deliberately vague at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix when leaving his, “As long as the FIA are happy…” question open-ended regarding McLaren’s rear wing flexing. He also said Red Bull do not want to design wings, “That deform like that”.

The FIA would ultimately ask McLaren to modify their rear wing after video footage showed it flexed upwards on Baku’s main straight, giving them what some deemed a ‘mini’-DRS. Yet McLaren boss Stella welcomes Red Bull’s public bid to create scepticism as it wastes energy.

READ MORE: Everything you need to know about McLaren F1 Team from team principal to engine

Stella said, via quotes by Auto Action: “It also gave us the opportunity to remind the FIA that we also do some due diligence in terms of studying other people. We don’t want to spend so much energy and time with journalists and trying to create big stories.

“So, we just told the FIA what we think is happening, and we trust and we are confident that they will talk to the other teams and make sure that they fix their own issues, which may be less visible but definitely, they do exist!”

Andrea Stella is reaping the words of McLaren focusing on McLaren

Stella is adamant that the best way for McLaren is to focus on what they can control and let the FIA investigate any potential rule breaches their rival Formula 1 teams make. It does not mean McLaren lack the will to doubt what upgrades teams run, but that is not a distraction.

This methodology has seen McLaren improve rapidly since naming Stella as their team boss. McLaren have even won four of the past six Grand Prix, including in Azerbaijan where Oscar Piastri surprised Charles Leclerc with his late dive into Turn 1 before then dictating the race.

Now, McLaren are the favourites to win the constructors’ championship and could also take Norris to the drivers’ crown, both at Red Bull’s expense. Norris will even hope that McLaren do not lose any focus and get distracted by what other teams try if he is to claim the crown.