Stella urges calm at McLaren as Verstappen closes in ominously

Verstappen’s victory at the Circuit of the Americas, backed up by his Sprint win on Saturday, cut Oscar Piastri’s once-comfortable lead to just 40 points with five rounds remaining. Before the Italian Grand Prix four races ago, the gap was over 100 points. Lando Norris now sits 14 points behind his teammate in second after finishing runner-up in Austin

As McLaren’s F1 driver title charge faces growing pressure from the rejuvenated #1 Red Bull. His comeback has been remarkable. Since the end of the summer break, Verstappen has won three Grands Prix and outperformed both McLaren drivers at every round.

Speaking after the race, McLaren team principal Stella said he and his drivers must manage the pressure positively: “First of all, I need to keep myself calm. What we are facing in this moment, which is a tight competition to win races, a tight competition in the quest for the drivers’ championship, is what Formula 1 is about.

"If anything, it was anomalous when we were doing easily. That’s not what Formula One is about. It’s a process of getting used to this kind of pressure, which we want to live with maximum intensity and minimum stress," added the Italian..

Stella added that McLaren must not lose sight of the enjoyment that comes with competing at the top: “We don’t want to lose the joy of doing what we do. We just want to make sure that we put ourselves in a state in which we perform at our best.

"This includes continuing to have fun and recognising that ultimately it’s quite a big privilege to be in this situation. So what we do in the future is very easy. We keep doing the good work and the results will take care of themselves," added Stella.

While Piastri has not beaten either rival since his win in Zandvoort, Stella pointed to history as a reminder that championships can turn quickly. Having been part of Kimi Raikkonen’s 2007 title triumph at Ferrari, when the Finn snatched the crown from McLaren duo Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso at the final round

Stella said McLaren would only consider team orders if the numbers dictated it: “When it comes to having to make a call as to a driver, this will only be led by mathematics. I can recall at least 2007 and 2010, in which you go to the last race and it’s actually the third that wins the championship. So we’re not going to close the door unless this is closed by mathematics.”

With 141 points still available, McLaren head to Mexico knowing they must keep both drivers composed and Verstappen behind to maintain control of the title fight. They are well aware the Dutchman won't give up until the final corner of the last lap of this season. Remember 2021!