Max Verstappen and Lando Norris have been in the spotlight during the recent Formula One tripleheader, clashing twice with penalties involved. Andrea Stella shared insights on what was communicated to Lando Norris after their latest encounter in Mexico City.
“The message we gave to Lando was, ‘We have pace. If we can pass him, let’s do it,'” explained Andrea Stella post-race. They realized they could compete with Ferrari and were losing time behind Max. Lando knew overtakes had to be safe because they were fighting on two fronts.
The team principal emphasized that scoring points was crucial for both championships. “Even in battles, you must think about finishing races,” he noted. The drivers were briefed on this before the race, so there was no need to remind Lando again.
Racing Needs a Referee
Stella believes it’s good to race hard but insists stewards are essential as a third party to resolve track disputes. “It needs authority,” he said.
He also reassured Norris about his racing style, saying, “We’re happy with how Lando races. Headlines can be misleading, but I always tell him, ‘Don’t worry; time is a gentleman.'”
Piastri’s Potential
Oscar Piastri faced challenges over the weekend after being knocked out in Q1 on Saturday. “He finished where expected without easy overtakes,” Stella commented about Piastri’s performance on Sunday.
Piastri ended up eighth in Mexico City. “Max wasn’t far ahead,” Stella observed. With more speed and easier overtakes, Piastri might have caught him. Despite not having an upgraded car, Oscar did great getting back into points—these points matter as the championship tightens!
Fans might think this news shows the intense pressure drivers face every race weekend.
What do you think? Is it fair for drivers to take risks for glory?
