McLaren Team Principal Andrea Stella has identified Max Verstappen's driving style as a pivotal factor in the collision with Lando Norris at the Austrian Grand Prix. The incident, which resulted in punctures for both drivers, has reignited discussions about racing regulations and the enforcement of penalties.
The collision handed George Russell an unexpected opportunity to inherit the lead and ultimately secure victory at the Red Bull Ring. Stewards reviewed the incident and deemed Verstappen solely responsible, resulting in a 10-second penalty for the Dutch driver.
Concerns Over Aggressive Driving
Stella did not mince words in his assessment of Verstappen's actions. "The entire population of the world knows who was responsible except for a group of people," he remarked. Stella referenced past incidents, particularly during Verstappen's contentious title battle with Lewis Hamilton in 2021, which he believes were inadequately addressed. "If you don't address these things honestly, they will come back. They weren't addressed properly in the past when there were fights with Lewis that needed to be punished in a harsher way," he added.
Stella underscored the necessity for the FIA to reassess and reinforce its racing rules to prevent similar incidents in the future. He argued that Verstappen's aggressive maneuvers were not isolated to this race, pointing out, "Before this episode, twice he moved in braking. It is evident that we have to enforce the way to go racing."
The Call for Stricter Enforcement
Stella passionately advocated for clear boundaries and stringent regulatory enforcement. "The regulations must be enforced in a way that is effective. When a car is out of the race, as a consequence, then the punishment needs to be proportionate to the outcome," he emphasized. According to Stella, the root causes of such incidents lie in unresolved issues from past seasons. "Here there was incomplete job, let's say, that comes from the past, and is a legacy that as soon as there was a trigger, immediately there is an outburst," he explained.
He urged the FIA and the sport to seize this incident as a chance for improvement, suggesting tighter rules and fair enforcement. "So I think this one like I said before, this episode today should be taken as an opportunity to tighten up, to plump up the boundaries, and in fairness, enforcing some of the rules that are already in place," Stella noted. He stressed the importance of preventing recurring violations, stating, "But we need to be very clear that these rules cannot be abused in a way that then leaves a margin to do a couple of times the same manoeuvre, and you know the third time there is going to be an accident."
Immediate Consequences and Reflections
The collision had immediate ramifications for McLaren and Norris, costing them valuable points and a potential victory. "For us, there's a lot of points gone. And a victory which I think Lando deserved to have the opportunity to have," Stella lamented. Despite acknowledging the nature of racing, he expressed a desire for cleaner, fairer competition. "It could have been Max, it could have been Lando. That's racing. But racing like with collisions, we don't like it," he concluded.
Stella's comments highlight a broader frustration with the current state of racing regulations and their enforcement. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the risks involved in high-stakes motorsport and the necessity for robust rules to ensure the safety and fairness of the competition. As the sport moves forward, Stella’s call for more stringent and effective regulations will likely resonate with teams and fans alike, potentially driving significant changes in how racing incidents are judged and penalized.