F1 News: McLaren boss sends ALERT to Red Bull following frustrating Spanish GP

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

Spanish Grand Prix

McLaren boss sends ALERT to Red Bull following frustrating 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 18:00

McLaren team principal Andrea Stella has reinforced belief that his outfit will be able to catch and surpass Red Bull this season.

Lando Norris took an incredible pole position at the Spanish Grand Prix, and had an excellent chance of earning a second career victory on Sunday.

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However, a rapid George Russell swept into the lead at Turn 1, Norris slipping behind his rivals on lap one.

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

George Russell had a spectacular opening lap

Lewis Hamilton and Lando Norris claimed P3 and 2 respectively

McLaren proud of ‘strong’ Spanish GP

Yet as the remaining laps tumbled away, the Brit failed to fight for the race 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 1,” 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’.

Red Bull Max Verstappen McLaren Lando Norris Spanish Grand Prix Andrea Stella