McLaren team principal Andrea Stella believes Ferrari will emerge as a consistent challenger for F1 victories in the second half of the season.
Why it matters:
Ferrari is currently the only team among the top four in the standings that has yet to secure a race victory this year. Stella's comments indicate a strong belief in their potential, suggesting a more competitive landscape as the season progresses.
The details:
- Recent Performance: Ferrari has shown competitive pace in recent races, including Silverstone and Belgium, even if it wasn't fully converted into results.
- Hungarian Grand Prix: Charles Leclerc surprised many by taking pole position. He led for a significant portion of the race before a loss of pace relegated him to fourth.
- Stella's View: Stella admitted he was not surprised by Leclerc's speed in Hungary, stating, "I’m not surprised because Ferrari has been competitive over the last few races." He highlighted Leclerc's control of the race lead in the first stint.
- Future Threat: Stella firmly believes Ferrari will be a consistent contender for victories for the rest of the campaign, noting, "any time we are racing for the second part of the season, we would have to take into account that in qualifying and in the race, we would have to deal with Ferrari."
What's next:
While McLaren enjoys a healthy lead in both championships, Stella expects strong competition. He anticipates having to contend not only with Ferrari but also with Mercedes and a resurgent Max Verstappen in the fight for future victories. The second half of the season promises intense battles.