.jpg?20250731')
The team in orange delivered a commanding performance at the Belgian Grand Prix on Sunday, securing a 1-2 finish that further strengthens the defending constructors’ champion team’s position.
Oscar Piastri claimed his sixth win of the season at Spa-Francorchamps, with teammate Lando Norris finishing second after the pair locked out the front row.
The result marks one of McLaren’s most dominant weekends yet, as they extended their lead in the Constructors’ Championship and underlined their resurgence as the team to beat.
“There is very, very little between our two drivers, and this is because they are both racing at an extremely high level,” Stella said.
“We’re lucky at McLaren to have a driver line-up capable of competing consistently at the front.
“I think the difference will be made by the accuracy, the precision, the quality of the execution. We saw in Silverstone that an issue, a sporting issue for Oscar during the Safety Car start and the consequent penalty cost him the race.
“And somehow here, we saw that it would have always been very difficult for Lando to keep the position starting first at the Safety Car restart.”
The race got underway behind the Safety Car following a rain delay, with Piastri seizing the lead from Norris on the long run to Les Combes.
Dominant: The McLaren duo in action during the race
The Australian maintained control throughout the race, managing tyre degradation and fending off a late push from Norris, who had switched to the hard compound in contrast to Piastri’s mediums.
Charles Leclerc finished a distant third for Ferrari, more than 20 seconds behind, underscoring McLaren’s performance advantage.
The result follows a strong run of form for the boys in orange, including victories and podiums that have lifted both Piastri and Norris into serious contention for the Drivers’ title, as McLaren continues to outpace traditional powerhouses such as Red Bull, Mercedes and Ferrari on most circuits.
Stella highlighted the significance of delivering results at a venue as demanding as Spa.
“To win here, with the changing conditions and the complexity of the track, speaks volumes about where we are as a team,” he said.
Despite a minor battery anomaly that affected both cars, Stella said the team managed the situation effectively.
The slight performance dip did not compromise the result, thanks to strategic decisions and the drivers’ ability to adapt under pressure.
With almost half the season still remaining, McLaren’s consistency and pace are turning heads across the paddock.
Once seen as outsiders in the title fight, the team has rapidly evolved into a leading force, and now holds the momentum heading into the summer break.
&uuid=(email))