McLaren’s team principal Andrea Stella remained unfazed as Oscar Piastri executed a breathtaking overtake on Lewis Hamilton during the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
Piastri, having pitted early, faced the challenge of slicing through traffic to reclaim a top position. Among the obstacles were Ferrari’s drivers, with Hamilton proving particularly difficult to pass.
Lando Norris had already struggled to find a way around the seven-time champion, prompting McLaren’s strategists to guide Piastri on the best approach.
The defining moment came at Turn 23, a corner rarely used for overtaking. Piastri seized his chance, diving down the inside on what F1TV commentator Alex Jacques described as a “dirty, dusty part of the race track.”
The bold maneuver propelled Piastri, now the drivers’ championship leader, past Hamilton in a high-speed duel that showcased his skill and nerve.
Stella, speaking to the media, compared the intensity to Piastri’s standout victory in Azerbaijan the previous season. “For me, it was a race like Baku,” he said. “In Baku, it was very tense with Leclerc, but somehow I was so calm because you know Oscar is in control and knows exactly what he’s doing.”
Stella emphasized his confidence in Piastri’s handling of the situation. “I didn’t have any particularly exciting moment there,” he added. “He was very confident and in control.”
The McLaren boss also praised Hamilton’s sportsmanship, noting his fairness as a competitor. “I think Hamilton knew if it wasn’t that corner, it would’ve been the next one where there was an opportunity,” Stella said. “So I was relatively calm.”
McLaren’s strategists and drivers now turn their attention to the next challenge: the 2025 Miami Grand Prix. Set for 57 laps around the 5.412-kilometer Miami International Autodrome at the Hard Rock Stadium complex, the race on May 4 promises more high-stakes action.
