Andrea Stella has found the transition from McLaren technical director to team principal interesting and enjoyable.
The Italian, who took over from Andreas Seidl following the latter’s departure to Alfa Romeo over the winter, is a rookie to the role after spending most of his time in the sport on the technical side.
“Interesting to some extent, I would say, enjoyable. I think there were some points of strength to exploit in the transition, the continuity of knowing the team, to some extent,” said Stella to selected media outlets, including Total-Motorsport.com.
“Now, you need to know everything inside out in the technical and operations manufacturing areas. So there’s been many conversations working on creating a vision for the team.
“What are the key objectives and priorities? Get all the team to be on the same page in relation to that, and then ultimately translate all of this into getting the job done.
“At the same time, when you are team principal, there’s a lot more to know compared to what I knew before, which was more focused on the racing side.
“Now, you need to know pretty much everything inside out. So there have been many conversations, but like I said, so far, so good.”
Piastri impressing in McLaren simulator
One of the big talking points for McLaren is the arrival of F2 champion Oscar Piastri to the team after spending 2022 as Alpine’s reserve driver.
Piastri has already hit the ground at the team, impressing Stella with his demanding but qualified way of working.
“We say that Oscar is a man of few words but the right words. There’s one characteristic in the interactions we’ve had so far he’s been demanding in a very qualified way,” said Stella.
“I already see [this as] a significant contributor to elevating the standards and the way we do things at eye level, which is a positive.
“We’ve been impressed with his runs, for reasons of the simulator for the way he’s been finding performance, just the level of awareness he has when he drives. So far, very happy and impressed.”
