McLaren blames ‘misinformation’ over alleged cheating in 2024
After being battered during the 2024 season for illegal tricks, McLaren deemed misinformation as the main cause for such allegations.
Follow Us
Andrea Stella (via IMAGO)
Despite winning the 2024 constructors’ title, McLaren‘s victory was labeled with a sour taste. Mid-way through the season, the team was alleged to be using illegal tactics to gain an edge over their rivals. Though the Woking-based outfit took swift action on such accusations, team principal Andrea Stella revealed how misinformation was the root cause behind the whole saga.
McLaren overtook Red Bull in performance charts since the Miami Grand Prix. With their drivers soon getting the hang of the machinery they had underneath themselves, the team looked set to dethrone the Austrian giant from the top of the constructors’ standings.
However, at the Azerbaijan GP weekend, McLaren pounced past Red Bull in the standings but was met with a series of accusations regarding its MCL38 rear wing. Despite the team insisting that they had been following the rules set by the FIA, they had to budge and make changes to its rear wing.
Subsequently, Andrea Stella revealed the set of challenges that a team has to face when they start winning. And also claimed the allegations to be largely due to misinformation spread by rivals.
Sometimes having to deal with misinformation, things that you know kind of don’t make any sense. And yet they become news and they become something that you cannot ignore, so you have to deal with.
Andrea Stella said (via Motorsport.com)
Despite this, McLaren ended its almost three-decade constructors’ championship drought this year. The Woking-based outfit was ecstatic with this achievement and is regarded as the favorite going into the next season.
McLaren might be headed for another civil war in 2025
While McLaren won the team championship this year, their two drivers were not far off of each other. After getting on the same upgrade plan as Lando Norris, Oscar Piastri started matching his teammate in race trim and was better than the Briton through a certain series of weekends.
The Aussie eventually took up the rear-gunner role, but his teammate was unable to win the title. Now, with more determination than ever, Piastri hopes to win the drivers’ title next year, which may lead to a civil war in the team as both drivers would want to win their maiden title.
For us involved, we know to do the right thing when we need to. And yeah, I think next year, of course, I want to be in a position where I can fight and hopefully, it’s just me and Lando that can fight for the championship, that’s our ideal scenario.
Oscar Piastri said (via Motorsport.com)
However, Red Bull would want to get back to the top of the table next year. This led the team to take extreme measures and make a change in its driver lineup. Thus, McLaren would not be alone in fighting for the title next year.
Stay Updated!
Geetansh Pasricha
(742 Articles Published)