McLaren boss Andrea Stella has detailed how a brave and innovative approach with the MCL39 has embroiled Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri in an intense Formula 1 title fight.
The Woking-based team has rendered the outcome of the 2025 Constructors’ Championship a mere formality, with the team on course to wrap up its second consecutive title.
This has also meant that both Norris and Piastri have become runaway contenders for their maiden titles.
The Briton currently trails his team-mate by 25 points as they head into the final seven races of the season.
Stella, who has been dubbed instrumental alongside CEO Zak Brown for McLaren’s recent successes, has revealed how the team has set its drivers up for such a rivalry this season.
The Italian detailed the approach the design and technical team took prior to the 2025 season, which has meant that the MCL39 is not only the benchmark of the field but also a completely different beast compared to its predecessor, the MCL38, which led the team to its first F1 Constructors’ title since 1998.
“Obviously, in Formula 1, you try and improve in every possible area of going racing,” he told media including Motorsport Week.
“But I would say if I had to pick one, that is from a technical point of view.”
The MCL39 has not revamped the formula for the last season of the incumbent ground effects regulations cosmetically.
But Stella described other aspects, not all seen, that a “brave” approach allowed them to inculcate which has made the current car “better” than the MCL38.
“I think the car itself is just a much better car. It’s very innovative compared to last year. We decided to go for development in pretty much every single part of the car,” he explained.
“We required some bravery in some areas of the car, for instance in the front suspension and some other parts that are less visible.
“So for me, that’s where the biggest step forward has happened. And obviously, like I said, the race team and the drivers themselves — we are all developed.”
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