Stella’s firm warning, Norris’ diagnosis, and the points picture
Andrea Stella didn’t mince words after Azerbaijan qualifying: asked if Max Verstappen is a title contender, McLaren’s team principal replied, “A firm yes. Can you write it in capital letters?” With Verstappen taking a grand chelem in Baku and stringing back‑to‑back wins, the Dutchman has started to chip away at Oscar Piastri’s lead — trimmed to 69 points — while also closing on Lando Norris in the standings.
McLaren’s weekend unraveled early. Piastri crashed in qualifying and on lap one of the race; Norris could salvage only seventh. The broader concern is strategic: the MCL39 remains vulnerable on low‑downforce layouts. Recent weekends in Italy and Azerbaijan exposed that weakness, echoing similar limitations seen at venues like Las Vegas last season.
Norris: Pace is there, but low‑downforce remains a flaw
- “On ultimate pace, we were still not bad,” says Norris, who believes starting higher would have meant finishing second — but Red Bull’s straight‑line and efficiency advantage was “very clear.”
- “At lower downforce tracks, we still seem to struggle. We have things which are not good enough, and have to keep working on.”
- Consistency is the missing piece: McLaren can be quick, “just not able to repeat it as often as we need and as often as the Red Bull.”
The title context after Baku
- Verstappen’s momentum: Two wins on the bounce, including a grand chelem in Azerbaijan.
- Championship pressure: Piastri’s advantage is down to 69 points; Verstappen has also closed the gap to Norris.
- McLaren’s reset: A messy weekend may serve as a timely wake‑up call for the team and its drivers.
The consensus forming in the paddock — and among fans asking the big question — is clear: if McLaren cannot shore up its low‑drag package and execution on efficiency‑limited tracks, Verstappen’s comeback bid will only gather pace.
