McLaren F1 boss issues Red Bull WARNING after disappointing Spanish GP

Max Verstappen and Lando Norris in Spain — Photo: © IMAGO

Spanish Grand Prix

McLaren boss issues Red Bull WARNING after disappointing Spanish GP

Andrea Stella warns Red Bull as McLaren make key gains in Spain

Sheona Mountford F1 Journalist

Motorsport journalist working in F1 since 2024.

Monday 24 June 2024 12:57 Updated: 17:04

McLaren team principal Andrea Stella remained confident despite losing out to Red Bull at the Spanish GP.

Lando Norris produced a stunning lap to claim pole position in Spain, and was poised for a second career victory on Sunday.

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However, a rapid George Russell swept into the lead at Turn One, Norris slipping behind his rivals on lap one.

It was not long before Max Verstappen usurped the Mercedes for P1, with Norris staying out longer on his tyres to try and fight the champion.

George Russell had a spectacular opening lap

Lewis Hamilton and Lando Norris claimed P3 and P2 respectively

McLaren proud of ‘strong’ Spanish GP

The end of the grand prix saw Norris close the gap to Verstappen, racing towards him on fresher tyres.

Yet as the remaining laps tumbled away, the Brit failed to fight for the lead as he had in Imola, finishing two seconds behind Verstappen.

Whilst Norris appeared downbeat after the race, McLaren boss, Andrea Stella, remained proud of the ‘strong’ strategy the team produced.

Stella also emphasised McLaren's parity to Red Bull, sending a warning to the Austrian outfit that further improvements were to come.

"The win went away from us in the first corner. In Barcelona, it's not a surprise you lose from pole position because it's a long way to Turn One,” he said to Sky Sports.

Andrea Stella remained positive after a defeat in Spain

"I actually appreciate that Lando kept out of problems. We wanted to finish the race. We knew the pace was strong.

"The strategy was strong. I want to praise the guys that prepared the strategy very carefully.

"We knew here you don't have to pit too early otherwise you run out of tyres. In the end, we missed out to fight for the victory.

"I think the two cars are very, very close. That's a great achievement for McLaren to talk about being on par with Red Bull but we want to improve the car."

Norris has now jumped to second in the drivers’ championship, with McLaren snapping at the heels of Ferrari in third for the constructors’.