Andrea Stella did not mince words when addressing a controversial racing incident.
- The clash between Max Verstappen and Lando Norris reignited discussions on racing fairness.
- Stella referenced a 2021 incident involving Verstappen and Hamilton as a pivotal moment.
- He believes past leniencies have led to recurring aggressive maneuvers.
- The FIA’s response, or lack thereof, to these actions remains a hot topic.
In the world of Formula 1, controversy is never far away, and the latest comes from McLaren’s Andrea Stella, who didn’t hold back his thoughts following a significant racing incident involving Max Verstappen. During the Austrian race, Verstappen made contact with McLaren’s Lando Norris on lap 64, which resulted in Norris being pushed out of contention while Verstappen received a 10-second penalty. Stella was forthright in his opinion that this incident should have been handled more severely, commenting that if races are to remain competitive yet fair, the FIA needs to establish firm boundaries.
Stella drew parallels to a 2021 event in Sao Paulo where Verstappen clashed with Lewis Hamilton, noting that no investigation followed despite the similarity in aggressive tactics used by Verstappen. “I see that the entire population in the world know who is responsible except for a group of people [Red Bull],” Stella remarked during a discussion on Sky F1. He emphasized that failure to address such incidents can lead to them reoccurring, as was seen in the recent tussle with Norris.
His comments reflect a broader concern about the standards of racing and the need for clearer regulatory guidelines. Referring to his time with Michael Schumacher at Ferrari, Stella stressed that while F1 is known for its fierce competition, it must not come at the cost of safety and sportsmanship. “The stewards found that Max was fully to blame in this episode,” Stella stated, arguing for penalties that are proportional to the consequences of on-track actions.
Stella also touched upon prior incidents involving Verstappen, such as moving twice under braking, which he believes became a pattern of behavior due to past leniencies by officiating bodies. For Stella, enforcing stricter penalties are essential for ensuring that racing remains enjoyable and fair for all involved.
Andrea Stella’s critique calls for a reevaluation of current regulations to maintain fairness in the sport.
