McLaren team principal Andrea Stella has urged caution despite his team’s blistering start to the 2025 Formula 1 season, warning that their rivals are yet to reveal their full potential.
Following a triumphant 2024 campaign that saw McLaren clinch its first Constructors’ Championship in 26 years, the team has picked up right where it left off. At the season-opening Australian Grand Prix, Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri locked out the front row, with Norris mastering treacherous conditions to secure a commanding victory.
Yet, despite the strong showing, Stella insists the team must remain humble and vigilant.
“The team have built a quick car, which has given us a competitive start to the season,” the Italian said according to RN365. “Both Lando and Oscar performed excellently in Melbourne, but we must remain grounded and continue to learn as we haven’t seen everything our competitors have to offer.”
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With powerhouse teams like Red Bull, Mercedes, and Ferrari expected to evolve rapidly, Stella’s words serve as a stark reminder that early-season form can be deceptive.
Shanghai Awaits: A Sprint Challenge
The F1 circus now heads to China for the second round of the season, featuring the first sprint event of the year. While this format offers McLaren a chance to extend its advantage, it also presents a strategic dilemma.
“We now immediately shift focus to the Chinese Grand Prix,” Stella said. “As the first sprint event of 2025, we know it offers more opportunity to score points, but it also provides the challenge of trying to maximise our learnings in the new car with reduced practice time.”
With limited running before competitive sessions, teams will have to strike the perfect balance between gathering data and executing their race strategies flawlessly.
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A New Era for McLaren?
McLaren has not won back-to-back Constructors’ Championships since 1991, when Ayrton Senna was still behind the wheel. If the team can navigate the challenges ahead and fend off its rivals, it could be on the verge of a new golden era.
But as Stella warns, the true test is yet to come.
