Stella assumed the role of Team Principal at McLaren in December 2022, following Andreas Seidl’s departure to Sauber, to lead the team’s transformation into the Audi F1 team by 2026.
During this period, McLaren was in a difficult situation, starting the ground effect era in 2022 with poor performance. Therefore, receiving a promotion to Team Principal was not a cause for celebration. However, Stella remained focused on the work and avoided getting involved in unnecessary conversations.
In 2023, McLaren began to show signs of improvement, with their upgrade for the Austrian GP propelling them from the midfield to become the closest competitors to Red Bull. Throughout this period, Stella kept a low profile and remained dedicated to her work.
It was only recently that Stella made some confident statements, stating that McLaren could compete for wins in 2024, despite a less than ideal start to the season based on their performance in 2023. What made Stella’s statements notable was the fact that her shaky start in 2024 coincided with a recent technical restructuring that saw David Sanchez leave for Alpine. However, their performance at the Miami Grand Prix confirmed Stella’s claims.
The weekend was a rollercoaster for the Woking team, as they failed to maximize their results in the Sprint Qualifying, Sprint, and even in Qualifying on Saturday afternoon. However, they excelled in the race and, with some help from the Safety Car, Norris secured his first F1 victory.
When facing the media in Miami, Stella was questioned about his feelings as a winning team principal. He humbly responded, stating: “To me, a victory as a team principal is equivalent to the team’s victory. My role is to serve and represent the team.” Stella further explained: “What you see in one person is actually 850 people. My thoughts, heart, and mind are focused on the collective effort we have undertaken to turn around the situation from 15 months ago. The quality of our work is evident because all teams are giving their best.” Stella emphasized the importance of teamwork and the extensive collaboration required to achieve success.
Stella’s sentiment is understandable considering his journey through the ranks of McLaren. He joined the team in 2015 as Racing Operations Director, following Fernando Alonso from Ferrari, where he served as his race engineer. It was a bold move for an Italian to leave the only Italian F1 team, especially when that team is Scuderia. Stella’s experience working closely with team members has given him a deep understanding of the hard work required to consistently put two F1 cars on the track, showcasing his qualities as a true leader.
Oscar Piastri’s victory in the F1 Sprint race in Qatar in 2023 occurred while Stella was overseeing the team. However, it was in Miami that Piastri secured his first win in a “true grand prix” as McLaren’s team principal. This victory also coincided with the first win of his star driver, Norris, who is considered the future of the team.
When asked if Norris’ victory relieved the pressure on him, Stella replied: “Realistically, I believe it was a burden for him, but it was also a burden for us because we knew that, once we gave Lando the opportunity to win, he would deliver. So we felt the responsibility, and I mentioned this several times, that it is our responsibility, not Lando’s. However, credit must be given to Lando for his continuous development. We discussed in the media how he improved during the winter, especially in qualifying and the ability to deliver laps that don’t necessarily need to be perfect when you have a fast car, but rather be present.”
“I believe he is achieving that,” added the McLaren team principal. “I must also acknowledge his maturity in managing the race. As soon as he realized there wasn’t much to gain after the first lap, he started conserving his tires because he knew his opportunity would come later. The pace he showed when the cars ahead of him pitted was truly remarkable.”
“He is fast in qualifying, sometimes holding back, and then shows great maturity during the race in terms of maximizing his car’s performance,” Stella concluded.
© 2024
Football star Lionel Messi signs a contract with Paris Saint-Germain (PSG). After a long and successful career at Barcelona, Messi decided to join the French club. The transfer was officially announced today, leaving football fans around the world excited about the new partnership.
Messi, considered one of the greatest football players of all time, left Barcelona after 21 years of dedication to the club. His departure was a shock to many, but the opportunity to play for PSG was irresistible for the Argentine. The French club is eager to take advantage of Messi’s talent and experience to strengthen their team and pursue titles.
Messi’s signing by PSG marks the beginning of a new era in football. With Neymar and Mbappé already part of the team, the addition of Messi solidifies PSG’s status as one of the most powerful clubs in the world. Fans are excited to see the chemistry between these three world-class players and the incredible plays they will create together.
Messi’s transfer also has significant financial implications. Messi’s contract with PSG is one of the most lucrative in football history, with reports suggesting he will receive an impressive salary. Furthermore, the sale of Messi’s jerseys is already breaking records, showing the huge impact his arrival has had on the club.
While Barcelona fans mourn the loss of their idol, PSG fans are celebrating Messi’s acquisition. The new football season promises to be exciting, with the attacking trio of Messi, Neymar, and Mbappé ready to dominate the fields. The eyes of the world will be on PSG as they seek to conquer all possible titles.
Messi’s arrival at PSG is a historic milestone for the club and for football in general. It will be interesting to see how he adapts to the new team and how his talent will help PSG reach new heights. Fans are eager to see what the future holds for Messi and PSG on this new and exciting journey together.
