Andrea Stella: False suspicions good for McLaren

(Motorsport-Total.com) - McLaren team boss Andrea Stella says it is "good news" for his currently dominant Formula 1 team that the competition is focusing on what he believes are the wrong reasons for the Papaya squad's dominance.

McLaren has been at the top of Formula 1 for a year now, after a major upgrade package at the 2024 Miami Grand Prix transformed the team from a midfield player to a contender for victory.

The Papaya squad clinched its first constructors' title in 26 years last season and has lost none of its luster in 2025 - five wins from six races ensure a comfortable lead in the constructors' championship.

McLaren's enormous leap in performance has both surprised and alarmed rival teams. The team was suspected, among other things, of having cooled its tires with water the previous year, of exploiting the aeroelastic effect of its wings better than anyone else, and of having found some kind of miracle cure for excessive rear tire wear.

However, McLaren's cars have consistently been approved by FIA technicians, even though the world governing body has decided to tighten up controls on wing bending - the next tightening of front wings will come into force at the race in Spain.

Stella hopes for "more of these stories"

After McLaren outclassed the competition in Miami, rivals hope that the more rigorous flexibility tests in Barcelona will rebalance the balance of power. However, team boss Stella rejects the idea that McLaren's success is due to the front wing.

"It's good news for us when our rivals - instead of focusing on themselves - focus on alleged aspects of our car that actually don't exist," said Stella on Friday in Imola.

"And even if they did exist—say, front wing deflection like everyone else's—that has nothing to do with why McLaren is so competitive right now."

"So I hope there will be more of these stories in the future. Because it means our rivals continue to focus on the wrong things - and that's only positive for us. It only helps us on our way," said the Italian.

Verstappen: Red Bull should focus on itself

To be fair, Max Verstappen also called on Red Bull to focus on their own problems instead of constantly looking left and right.

"It's a waste of time thinking about things like that," said the four-time world champion. "For us, it's more important to focus on our own car. We have a lot of work ahead of us and need to understand what we need to improve. I think that's more important."

McLaren's lead has made Red Bull increasingly pessimistic about its title ambitions. Advisor Helmut Marko doesn't see any turnaround for the better in Barcelona either.

"The championship is becoming increasingly difficult or unrealistic," Marko told Sky. "I don't think much will change in Monte Carlo. Maybe in Barcelona, ​​if the stricter wing regulations come into effect—that could make a difference. But it will be tough. McLaren is simply strong on every track and with every tire."