McLaren Issues Worrying Statement About Red Bull After the Brazilian Grand Prix
What initially seemed like a triumphant weekend for McLaren at the São Paulo Grand Prix has quickly turned into a moment of reflection. Team principal Andrea Stella, known for his analytical and measured approach, was quick to downplay the celebrations surrounding McLaren’s impressive double victory in Brazil. Despite Lando Norris’s outstanding performance in both the sprint and the main race, Stella admitted that Red Bull — and especially Max Verstappen — remain a looming threat, even in defeat.
In his post-race comments, Stella gave a rather sobering assessment: “Without yesterday’s situation, Verstappen would have been in a position to win.” The “situation” he referred to was the Dutch driver’s chaotic qualifying session, which left him starting from the pit lane after suffering a puncture early on. Yet even from such a disadvantaged position, Verstappen managed to claw his way through the field to secure a stunning third-place finish — a result that highlighted both his skill and the relentless pace of the Red Bull RB21.
Stella’s admission carries significant weight coming from the man who orchestrated McLaren’s near-perfect weekend. It was not just praise for Verstappen’s abilities; it was also a subtle reminder that Red Bull’s dominance might not be over just yet. For all of McLaren’s recent success, Stella made it clear that the real benchmark remains the reigning champions from Milton Keynes.
Red Bull’s Hidden Strength
While McLaren fans were busy celebrating a long-awaited one-two finish, Verstappen was quietly putting on a masterclass of his own. Despite his early setback, he demonstrated extraordinary pace and consistency throughout the race. After his first pit stop, Verstappen began setting lap times that were on average six-tenths of a second quicker than Norris’s — a staggering difference at Formula 1 level. Such speed effectively meant that Red Bull’s car was still operating in a league of its own, even if the results sheet didn’t fully reflect it.
By lap 21, Verstappen had already fought his way back into the top five, slicing through the midfield with trademark precision and control. Every sector of the circuit seemed to highlight the RB21’s superior balance and power. McLaren may have executed a perfect strategy, but Verstappen’s relentless pursuit served as a clear reminder of Red Bull’s underlying dominance.
As the race progressed, that pace advantage didn’t fade. Even in the closing stages, Verstappen’s lap times were two to three-tenths of a second quicker than Norris’s. It was a hauntingly familiar sight — the Red Bull charging forward with unstoppable momentum, proving that despite a tough weekend, the team’s performance edge remains intact.
McLaren’s Celebration Mixed With Caution
For McLaren, the Brazil weekend was a breakthrough moment — proof that their upgraded car and teamwork can truly challenge the sport’s front-runners. Lando Norris’s double victory, combined with Oscar Piastri’s strong support performance, sent a wave of optimism through the Woking-based team. However, Stella’s candid reflection shows that McLaren are not getting carried away by their success.
The Italian team boss has built a reputation for realism, and his comments after the race were no exception. “Max and Red Bull are still incredibly fast,” he said. “We can’t assume that one good weekend means we’ve surpassed them. We have to keep improving.”
His words underline a larger truth about the current Formula 1 landscape: even when Red Bull falters, they remain a constant threat. Verstappen’s recovery drive in Brazil was a textbook demonstration of why he’s still the driver to beat, and why Red Bull’s engineering strength continues to cast a long shadow over the grid.
The Battle Ahead
As Formula 1 heads toward the final stretch of the season, McLaren’s victory in São Paulo will be remembered as a major milestone — but also a warning. Stella’s measured tone suggests that the team understands the scale of the challenge ahead. Red Bull may have stumbled in qualifying, but when it comes to raw pace, strategic execution, and race-day resilience, they remain the gold standard.
If anything, McLaren’s success has reignited the competitive fire between the two teams. With Norris now confident and the car delivering consistent performance, the next races could see an even tighter battle for supremacy. But as Stella rightly pointed out, Red Bull’s wings haven’t been clipped just yet — and that means the fight is far from over.
