Stella Blames Verstappen’s Aggression for Austrian GP Collision
McLaren Team Principal Andrea Stella has openly attributed the collision between Max Verstappen and Lando Norris at the Austrian Grand Prix to Verstappen’s aggressive driving style. The incident, which left both drivers with punctured tires, has sparked renewed debate on the enforcement of racing regulations by the FIA.
The collision occurred at the Red Bull Ring, dramatically altering the race's outcome. With Verstappen and Norris both compromised, George Russell seized the opportunity to inherit the lead and clinch victory. Meanwhile, the stewards handed Verstappen a 10-second penalty, laying the full blame on him for the clash.
Stella did not hold back in his criticism, suggesting that Verstappen’s driving tactics have long gone unchecked. “The entire population of the world knows who was responsible except for a group of people,” Stella remarked, emphasizing the need for accountability in the sport.
He drew parallels to past incidents, particularly during Verstappen's title battle with Lewis Hamilton in 2021, which he believes were not sufficiently 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,” Stella asserted.
The impact of the collision was immediate and severe for McLaren and Norris. Stella lamented the lost points and the missed opportunity for 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," he expressed.
Stella’s concerns go beyond this single incident. He sees it as part of a broader issue requiring a reevaluation of how racing rules are enforced. “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 argued.
Stella highlighted Verstappen's previous maneuvers during the same race, pointing out that Verstappen had moved twice before in braking zones. "Before this episode, twice he moved in braking. It is evident that we have to enforce the way to go racing," he noted.
The McLaren principal believes these actions are a result of unresolved issues from past seasons. "In every kind of human dynamics, if you don't address things, as soon as you introduce competition, as soon as you introduce a sense of injustice, these things escalate. It's like anything," Stella commented.
Reflecting on the situation, Stella sees it as an opportunity for the FIA to tighten up its regulations and enforcement. "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 said.
He continued, "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 emphasized the importance of precise enforcement to prevent such incidents from recurring. "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 maneuver, and you know the third time there is going to be an accident," he said.
Looking at the broader picture, Stella advocated for cleaner racing devoid of unnecessary collisions, underscoring the need for the sport to evolve in this regard. "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.
The recent incident at the Austrian GP and Stella's comments highlight the ongoing need for stricter and more effective regulation in Formula 1, ensuring fairness and safety in the sport. The FIA now faces a critical moment to reassess and reinforce its rules, potentially shaping the future conduct of racing for seasons to come.