Andrea Stella has taken a positive view of the McLaren F1 race in Qatar, despite a disappointing result. Indeed, the director of the Woking team recalls that Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri were in contention for a podium thanks to their pace.
“The positive thing about the race was that we had a very strong car and were in contention for the win. Oscar had a strong race but was unlucky with the timing of the safety car, which 'made him go behind Leclerc, but that's how it sometimes happens in racing' Stella said.
“Lando was very fast and the way he got back into the points after the penalty was impressive. It's not the result we wanted overall, but it's what we got. Now we'll have to finish the job in Abu Dhabi. We remain focused and determined as a team.”
Norris received a heavy penalty for failing to slow down under a yellow flag, with a 10-second stop and go. Stella questions the proportion of the penalties and seems to say that the sanction against her driver was too great.
“Regarding the main incident of the race, the sector turned yellow just as Lando entered it – but the requirements are clear, you have to take your foot off the gas and it is the responsibility of the drivers to recognize that They are in a yellow sector and to slow down.”
“However, for the future, we recommend that the FIA consider that proportionality and specificity should be guaranteed in all penalties applied. For me, this is very worrying, and it is also a factor that could have an impact decisive in the quest for the championship.”
“It's certainly something that the FIA should take very seriously if we want fairness to be part of Formula 1 competition. It's an important matter.”
“There is a huge commitment from every team, a huge commitment from all parties, and we need to make sure that the sport is managed in such a way that a fundamental element of proportion and specificity is guaranteed when a penalty is applied. Otherwise, the consequences could spiral out of control.”
McLaren does not rule out requesting a right of review on this penalty, but the Italian is not seeking to have it removed. He just thinks it should have been lighter.
“Possible. We expect this case of applying such a severe penalty to be reviewed by the FIA, and there is certainly, in our view, room for improvement once the FIA takes this opportunity to open a review of its operations and the application of the penalty.”
“For the rest, we don't want to comment. We trust the FIA in terms of decisions, in terms of making someone available in a certain position – that's the job of the FIA.”
“For our part, we have expressed that we expect this to be examined, but we do not want to enter into the debate with the slightest comment on the changes of race director. We do not have the elements to judge, so we just trust the institution that is there to do this kind of work.”
