McLaren's rivals “focusing on wrong things” as dominance continues at Imola GP

McLaren's team principal Andrea Stella views it as "good news" that Formula 1 rivals are attributing McLaren's dominance to incorrect factors.

Mclaren has been a dominant force in F1 for the past year, ever since a significant upgrade package at the 2024 Miami Grand Prix transformed them from a mid-field team into a race-winning contender. The Woking-based squad secured its first constructors' championship in 26 years last season and has maintained its strong performance this year, winning five of the last six races to build a substantial lead in the teams' standings.

The substantial performance gain by McLaren has both surprised and concerned rivals, with the team facing accusations of water-cooling its tires last year, exploiting aerodynamic elasticity in its wings more effectively than others, and having discovered a "magic bullet" solution to manage rear tire degradation.

McLaren's cars have consistently passed FIA scrutineering. However, the governing body has decided to implement stricter regulations on wing flexing, with new rules set to take effect in Spain.

Rivals are hopeful that the stricter flexing tests in Barcelona will alter the competitive landscape after McLaren's commanding performance in Miami. However, team principal Stella dismissed the idea that McLaren's front wings are the primary reason for their success.

"It's good news for us when our rivals focus – instead of on themselves – on aspects that they claim are present in our car, but which are not actually there," Stella stated in Imola on Friday.

"And certainly, even if they were present – let's say, front wing deflection, like everyone else – it has nothing to do with why McLaren is so competitive.

"So, I hope that in the future there will be more of these kinds of sagas because it means our rivals keep focusing on the wrong things, and for us, that's simply good news. It aids our pursuit."

Max Verstappen, to his credit, has also encouraged Red Bull to concentrate on its own issues rather than observing McLaren's progress.

"It's a waste of time to think about these things," the four-time world champion commented. "For us, it's more important that we focus on our car. We have a lot of work to do there and to understand what we need to improve. I think that's more important."

The significant advantage McLaren holds has increasingly made Red Bull pessimistic about its championship prospects, with team advisor Helmut Marko acknowledging that Barcelona will not drastically alter the season's trajectory.

"The championship is becoming increasingly difficult or unrealistic," Marko told Sky. "I don't think Monte Carlo will change much either.

"Perhaps in Barcelona, with the stricter wing regulations coming in, that could make a difference, but it will be tough. McLaren is simply strong on every track with every type of tire."