Stella Praises Respectful McLaren Battle After Norris’s Hungarian GP Win

Stella backs McLaren’s approach in Hungary

McLaren Team Principal Andrea Stella has praised the “respectful approach” between Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri after their intense fight for victory at last weekend’s Hungarian Grand Prix.

Norris, the reigning World Champion, secured his first Grand Prix win of the season in the 70-lap race at the Hungaroring. However, the result was far from straightforward. After running wide, Norris lost the lead to Piastri at Turn 2, allowing his team-mate to control the opening stint.

Piastri remained ahead after his first pit stop, while Norris told McLaren over the radio that he could run significantly faster in clean air. The strategic battle then shifted when Piastri was called in for his second stop. Traffic on his fresh tyres compromised his progress, particularly through Turn 2, where he made contact with Carlos Sainz’s Williams.

The incident contributed to an angry radio reaction from Piastri about the team’s strategy. Norris stopped six laps later and emerged ahead, before going on to win. Piastri subsequently retired with a suspected gearbox issue.

Stella explains the strategy and radio dispute

Stella said Piastri apologised after the race, clarifying that his comments had been made in anger. He also stressed that the contest between the two McLaren drivers had been fair.

“I’m very pleased with the respectful approach that they had to each other, staying away from contact,” Stella said. He pointed to the opening-corner battle as evidence that both drivers had opportunities, adding that Piastri took the lead by judging the grip better at Turn 2 and had his own chance to win.

McLaren’s decision to pit Piastri was made partly to cover Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari. Stella said the team could not afford to surrender track position, while the contact with Sainz created an unfortunate complication. He added that the blue panels used by back markers were not working, although he regarded Sainz as a fair and correct driver and described the contact as unintentional.

Norris’s pace settles the fight

Once Norris was released into clear air, Stella said his pace became “simply mega”, allowing him to gain roughly half a second per lap and pit ahead of Piastri.

The victory also underlined McLaren’s improved competitiveness after new upgrades helped return the team to the front. As our Hungarian GP report explains, Norris’s win was ultimately accompanied by the frustration of Piastri’s retirement. For Stella, however, the bigger positive was clear: both McLaren drivers are now capable of fighting for victories and podiums.