McLaren Team Principal Andrea Stella has unequivocally pointed to Max Verstappen’s aggressive driving style as the primary cause of the collision with Lando Norris during the Austrian Grand Prix. This incident, which caused both drivers to suffer punctures, had significant ramifications on the race's outcome.
Following the collision, George Russell seized the opportunity to take the lead, eventually securing victory at the Red Bull Ring. Meanwhile, the race stewards conducted a thorough investigation and concluded that Verstappen was solely responsible for the incident, issuing him a 10-second penalty.
Unresolved Issues from the Past
Stella drew parallels between this incident and previous contentious clashes, particularly during Verstappen's intense title battle with Lewis Hamilton in 2021. He argued that such incidents were not adequately addressed at the time. "If you don't address these things honestly, they will come back," Stella stated. "They weren't addressed properly in the past when there were fights with Lewis that needed to be punished in a harsher way."
Stella's comments underscore a broader call for the FIA to reassess and reinforce its racing rules. He believes that the sport's regulatory body needs to set clearer boundaries and ensure rigorous 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.
Pattern of Aggressive Maneuvers
Stella also highlighted a pattern of aggressive driving by Verstappen, suggesting that the incident with Norris was not an isolated event. "Before this episode, twice he moved in braking. It is evident that we have to enforce the way to go racing," he remarked.
He warned that if such behavior is not curbed, it could escalate further, potentially leading to more severe consequences. "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 explained.
Impact on McLaren
The incident had immediate and costly consequences for McLaren and Norris. The collision not only resulted in lost points but also deprived Norris of 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.
Reflecting on the broader implications, Stella articulated a desire for cleaner and fairer racing. He sees the latest incident as a critical juncture for the sport to improve its regulations. "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 stated.
Opportunity for Reform
Despite the setback, Stella believes this episode should be viewed as an opportunity for positive change. "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," he noted.
Stella’s call to action is clear: for the FIA and the sport to ensure that racing rules are not open to abuse and that the enforcement is consistent and robust. "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," he concluded.
Ultimately, Stella’s remarks reflect a deep-seated commitment to improving the sport. Summing up his perspective on the matter, he expressed a sentiment shared by many within the racing community: "It could have been Max, it could have been Lando. That's racing. But racing like with collisions, we don't like it."