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“Apples and Pears”: Why Stella Firmly Rejects McLaren’s Form Crisis

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Highlights

  • Andrea Stella rejects claims McLaren lost pace after Imola.
  • McLaren excels on low-speed tracks like Miami, struggles elsewhere.
  • Imola’s high-speed layout favored Red Bull over McLaren.
  • Monaco called a unique circuit; Ferrari predicted as contender.
  • McLaren to improve MCL38 performance across diverse track types.
  • Teams use psychological tactics to manage competition expectations.

Andrea Stella, principal of the McLaren Formula 1 team, has pushed back against suggestions that his squad lost ground at Imola following a strong showing in Miami. After Oscar Piastri claimed pole position but lost out to Max Verstappen’s Red Bull in the race, some in the paddock speculated McLaren had not delivered the pace many expected. This sentiment was echoed in various reports discussing McLaren’s Imola setback.

Speaking after the Grand Prix, Stella said such comparisons failed to account for the very different nature of the tracks, comparing it to weighing “apples and pears.” McLaren stood out in Miami earlier in the month, where Verstappen finished 40 seconds behind the winner.

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Image credit: www.grandprix247.com

For a deeper understanding of how track characteristics influence F1 performance, the FIA’s official circuit guide provides valuable insights.

But Imola presented high-speed corners and narrower layouts, more similar to circuits like Saudi Arabia and Japan. Stella reminded observers that in qualifying at those venues, it was Red Bull—not McLaren—who topped the charts. To explore the technical demands of these tracks further, MIT’s Motorsports Analytics research offers detailed analysis.

In Saudi Arabia, Verstappen would have won but for a penalty. Stella pointed out that McLaren’s Imola performance matched the patterns seen at these other high-speed tracks. Analysis of the McLaren pace at Imola supports this viewpoint.

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Image credit: formularapida.net

He explained that Miami is dominated by low-speed sections, and the upgrades McLaren brought this year have helped their car shine in such conditions. This strength had not shown so dramatically in places like China or Bahrain, where Piastri and teammate Lando Norris had mixed fortunes. For those interested in the engineering behind F1 car adaptability, SAE International’s motorsports resources are an excellent reference.

Stella’s argument is that analyzing race pace must consider specific circuit demands. Comparing Imola with Miami, according to him, does not present a clear picture of the teams’ actual form.

Stella added that teams and rival camps often play psychological games, emphasizing or downplaying their performance depending on their strategic goals for pressure or expectation management. He said it was important for analysts and fans to stay “specific, analytical, precise” when interpreting results, rather than relying on surface-level judgments. The F1 Sporting Regulations provide the official framework for how teams strategize within the rules.

Looking at Monaco, Stella called the upcoming circuit a “peach”—something unique and hard to compare with any other track on the calendar. He predicted that Ferrari could be a lead contender in the Monte Carlo event, adding that more races would help clarify patterns as teams and technical staff gathered data.

He also joked about wondering whether Baku will fit into the apple, pear, or peach categories, as teams continue to learn about the 2025 cars’ strengths and weaknesses at different venues. In the aftermath of Imola, the debate continues about how much recent Red Bull upgrades have shifted the competitive balance.

Questions remain whether McLaren’s new aerodynamic direction has made them legitimate long-run rivals for the championship. Stella’s approach suggests he believes the answer depends greatly on where the cars are racing, as each circuit reveals different strengths and weaknesses.

McLaren’s engineers are expected to keep working on extracting the best from the MCL38 on all track types as the season moves forward. The next challenge is set against the famous Monaco street circuit. A parallel effort by McLaren in other motorsport events, such as the Indy 500, reflects their broad commitment to development across racing formats. For more on the history and technical evolution of the Indy 500, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway’s official archive is a rich resource.

* The featured image is not a real photograph — it was created using AI.
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Daniel Miller

Daniel Miller reports on Formula 1 Grand Prix weekends with race-day analysis, team-radio highlights, and point-standings updates. He explains power-unit upgrades, aerodynamic developments, and driver rivalries in straightforward, SEO-friendly language for a global F1 audience.

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