McLaren boss Andrea Stella has denied Charles Leclerc’s grid drop has eased the pressure in the team’s Formula 1 title battle with Ferrari at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
The Woking-based squad has entered the showdown in the driving seat to claim a first Constructors’ Championship since 1998 as it holds a 21-point lead over Ferrari.
McLaren received a boost as the opening practice session ended at the Yas Marina Circuit as it was announced that Leclerc will go back 10 spots on the starting grid.
Ferrari has elected to make a precautionary change to the energy store on Leclerc’s SF-24, exceeding his allocation for the season and incurring an automatic penalty.
However, Stella has dampened the notion that the demand on McLaren has been alleviated as he backed Ferrari and Leclerc to recover to be in the mix come the race.
Asked whether Ferrari’s blow had relieved pressure on McLaren, Stella told media including Motorsport Week: “Not at all. I guess you expected this answer. Not at all.
“We talk about Charles Leclerc. We talk about Ferrari. It’s a very strong combination.
“I think even with the penalty, I wouldn’t be surprised if we can see them very rapidly fighting for the front, for the top positions.
“So nothing changes. We keep remaining calm, focused and full of energy.”
McLaren’s rapid growth
Stella commended how the team has maintained pace with the rapid ascent McLaren has experienced on the track since establishing itself as a frontrunner last term.
“I was in a meeting with the entire team yesterday evening,” the Italian recalled.
“And the message I wanted to share with the team is how impressed I am with the maturity that I see when I interact with all the team members.
“It’s been a fast, steep trajectory for us. We had a lot to learn. It’s almost a change of status.
“For the team, in terms of our competitiveness and what we are competing for, I see that people have learned very fast.
“Even from our people have learned very fast, even from a mindset point of view. And this had led us to be calm at this final race, focused, and full of energy.”
McLaren hoping to add to ‘great legacy’
Stella, involved in multiple title triumphs with Ferrari in the 2000s, has expressed that returning McLaren to the summit would rank among his proudest achievements.
Asked what it would mean to clinch the championship, he replied: “Very genuinely, I can say that my thoughts are in relation to the team, what this means for the team.
“McLaren is iconic, prestigious, one of the most important teams in Formula 1. We have not won a championship since 1998.
“So I guess the meaning is making a piece of history. And for me personally, and for the entire team, we will be extremely proud to add to this great legacy.”
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