McLaren Team Principal Andrea Stella has identified Max Verstappen's driving style as the core issue behind the collision with Lando Norris at the recent Austrian Grand Prix. The incident, which resulted in punctures for both drivers, has stirred significant dialogue around the enforcement of racing regulations.
In the aftermath of the collision, George Russell was able to take advantage of the situation, inheriting the lead and ultimately clinching victory at the Red Bull Ring. Meanwhile, race stewards handed Verstappen a 10-second penalty, placing full responsibility for the clash on the Dutch driver.
Stella was forthright in his assertion that Verstappen’s aggressive driving is not an isolated occurrence. He drew parallels with previous incidents, particularly noting Verstappen's contentious clashes with Lewis Hamilton during the 2021 season. "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 remarked.
Stella has called upon the FIA to reassess and bolster its racing regulations to ensure incidents like these are handled more effectively. He emphasized, "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."
The McLaren principal described the recent collision as a symptom of unresolved issues from past seasons. He sees it as an opportunity for the sport’s governing body to refine and enforce racing rules with greater clarity and consistency. "Before this episode, twice he moved in braking. It is evident that we have to enforce the way to go racing," said Stella, highlighting the urgency for stringent rule enforcement.
Reflecting on the broader implications, Stella pointed out that lack of proper disciplinary action in past incidents has led to escalating tensions. "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," he explained.
Stella believes that this incident should serve as a catalyst for tighter regulatory measures, "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 adds, "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."
The McLaren principal stressed the need for unequivocal rules that cannot be exploited, "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."
For McLaren and Norris, the incident translated to immediate detrimental consequences, stripping them of 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.
Concluding his thoughts, Stella expressed a desire for cleaner, more competitive racing, devoid of such collisions. "It could have been Max, it could have been Lando. That's racing. But racing like with collisions, we don't like it," he stated, underlying a sentiment that resonates with many within the sport.