McLaren Team Principal Andrea Stella has launched a passionate defence of driver Lando Norris following the controversial penalty that cost the British star a potential victory at the Austrian Grand Prix.
Stella's Fiery Response to Stewards' Decision
In an explosive post-race interview, Stella didn't hold back his frustration after Norris received a five-second penalty for an alleged track limits violation during his thrilling battle with Red Bull's Max Verstappen.
'This penalty is absolutely unacceptable,' Stella declared. 'We're talking about millimetres here, racing incidents that occur when two champions are pushing to the absolute limit. This is what Formula 1 should be about - wheel-to-wheel racing, not being punished for marginal calls.'
Norris's Victory Dreams Dashed Again
The penalty proved devastating for Norris, who had been hunting down Verstappen in the closing stages of the race. The British driver, still seeking his second career victory after his maiden win in Miami, was clearly distraught over the radio as the decision came through.
'I can't believe it,' Norris transmitted to his team. 'We were fighting fairly, giving each other space. This is heartbreaking.'
McLaren's Growing Frustration with Inconsistency
Stella highlighted what he sees as a pattern of inconsistent stewarding decisions affecting his team: 'We need clarity and consistency in these rulings. When similar incidents have occurred with other drivers, no penalties were applied. This selective enforcement is damaging the sport's credibility.'
The Italian team principal's frustration was palpable as he detailed the impact on both Norris and the entire McLaren team, who had worked tirelessly to deliver a competitive car capable of challenging Red Bull.
What This Means for the Championship Battle
This incident marks another chapter in the intensifying rivalry between Norris and Verstappen, with the McLaren increasingly appearing as the primary challenger to Red Bull's dominance.
- Norris drops valuable championship points
- Growing tension between McLaren and FIA stewards
- Questions raised about consistency in penalty applications
- Potential impact on future wheel-to-wheel battles
As the Formula 1 circus heads to Silverstone for the British Grand Prix, all eyes will be on how Norris responds to this setback in front of his home crowd, and whether McLaren can maintain their recent competitive form against the reigning champions.
