Formula 1 is enjoying an unprecedentedly close season in which any one of four teams can dominate on any given weekend – a mixed blessing, according to McLaren team principal Andrea Stella.
Mercedes won the Las Vegas Grand Prix through George Russell, who controlled the race from pole position while teammate Lewis Hamilton climbed through from 10th on the grid to finish second. That result means four F1 constructors have scored a one-two finish in the same season for the first time in the sport’s history, and Stella says that helped McLaren in Las Vegas, but could hurt it in the final two rounds.
“It’s disappointing that we lost 12 points in the championship,” Stella said. “But at the same time, considering how much we struggled this weekend, we really have to thank Mercedes for having performed so strongly and secured the P1-P2 position. Otherwise Ferrari would have been an even bigger threat in the constructors’ championship.
“It’s true – and I’ve said myself – that Qatar and Abu Dhabi should be territory that is more suitable for the way we have designed our car. But at the same time, I think we need to be careful. The level of the top teams in Formula 1 in 2024, in my view, is unprecedented.
“I really can’t remember a season in Formula 1 where four teams were operating at such a high level. Not only because they are in condition to win, but they are in condition to dominate like Mercedes did with faultless weekends. This means for me, this means for the team, that yes, we go to Qatar thinking that the car may perform well, but if we think that this is an easy ride, we will be hit by the reality.