McLaren CEO Zak Brown has praised Team Principal Andrea Stella as the primary catalyst for the British team’s transformation in Formula 1 over the past year. Stella took over the position before last season, when it was decided that Andreas Seidl would leave to work on Sauber’s Audi transition. Despite starting the previous season at a disadvantage due to a late change in car concept, McLaren’s fortunes improved with mid-season upgrades, resulting in nine podium finishes and a fourth-place finish. The team has continued its upward trajectory in the 2024 season, with Lando Norris securing two podium finishes and McLaren currently sitting in third place in the Constructors’ standings. Brown, who appointed Stella, credited him as the driving force behind McLaren’s revival, citing his leadership, clarity, restructuring efforts, and leading by example.
In a recent YouTube video interview with Drive to Wynn, Brown expressed his confidence in McLaren’s upcoming upgrade package, set to be introduced at the next race in Miami. He highlighted the team’s strong track record with correlation, indicating that previous upgrades have performed as expected. Brown believes that the upcoming upgrades will have a similar positive impact. McLaren currently holds a comfortable third place in the Constructors’ Championship, with 96 points after the first five rounds, trailing second-place Ferrari by 55 points.