Addressing performance differences between drivers, Stella highlighted the ongoing adaptation process required by modern F1 machinery.
“The drivers keep saying that this generation of race cars requires a specific driving style,” he said.
He noted that smooth steering inputs do not always translate to optimal lap times with current aerodynamic setups.
“If you drive too cleanly, you won't get good laptimes in the end. You have to really attack and accept that the car will slide,” Stella explained.
The team principal expects driver performance to normalize as vehicle handling improves. “You have to be really active on the steering wheel,” he said.
Stella observed similar stylistic adaptation challenges occurring across several competing teams on the grid.
“But we see this phenomenon with other teammates as well, for example with Antonelli and Russell, or sometimes with Hamilton and Leclerc,” he noted.
McLaren expects both drivers to fully maximize the vehicle potential once mechanical setup solutions are finalized.
“I'm sure we'll find a solution and that Oscar's full talent will shine through again,” Stella said.
Red Bull's Return and Mercedes' Update
Red Bull is planning to reintroduce its rotating wing concept after removing it at the Belgian Grand Prix following high-speed incidents involving Max Verstappen in Austria and Great Britain.
Engineers traced the issue to a specific mechanical failure identified following the accident at Silverstone.
“It's a mechanical problem we detected after the Silverstone accident,” said Pierre Waché, Red Bull Racing Technical Director.
Red Bull has presented its corrective mechanical solutions to the FIA to ensure safe operational parameters. “We know what happened, we've fixed it,” Waché said.
The team confirmed that technical evaluations were completed prior to bringing the wing back to the circuit. “We have demonstrated what we have done to the FIA.
It is up to us to be more cautious now,” Waché said. Red Bull emphasized a cautious approach to testing to prevent further aerodynamic instability.
“We don't want to take any risks and we want to be 100 percent sure,” he added.
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Mercedes is also fielding a modified rear wing specification in Hungary featuring supplementary winglets attached to the upper flap to maximize downforce.
