Norris wins the world championship and becomes Formula 1 world champion. Stella, the key figure behind McLaren’s revival, shared his thoughts after the race in Abu Dhabi.
Lando Norris is the new world champion, and McLaren can finally celebrate a triumphant 2025 season. The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix was far from simple, yet Andrea Stella’s team managed the final round of the year with impressive control. Even when things briefly slipped out of hand after a difficult first pit stop — a stop that sent Lando back out into heavy traffic — everything was handled with absolute precision. The Woking-based squad returns to celebrating a drivers’ title for the first time since 2008, following the constructors’ championship they secured last year, once again at the final race. Much of the credit goes to Stella, who took charge of McLaren during a moment of crisis and guided the team to three world titles.
The Italian team principal’s comments at the end of the season
Speaking to Sky Sport F1 Italia, Andrea Stella commented: “It has been a very long journey over 24 races. We remained consistent, trying to keep both our drivers in the fight for as long as the mathematics allowed it. We are satisfied that this approach rewarded us with success in both the constructors’ and drivers’ championships. We are happy.” The Italian immediately turned to the future: “There is the present, but there is also the future. We care deeply about avoiding fractures within the team, and this is demonstrated by our growth. Three years ago we were last, now we are world champions. Cohesion is invisible, but fundamental.”
Norris’ victory was also made possible thanks to the support given by McLaren: “I am very happy for Lando, an athlete must constantly evolve while staying true to himself,” Andrea Stella stated. “Lando has grown, also in terms of how he reacts to external pressures. Champions deal with even greater pressure now because of social media. From a driving-development standpoint we adjusted many small details, focusing only on replicating the same sensations behind the wheel.”
Finally, Andrea Stella recalled what happened with Ferrari in 2010 right here in Abu Dhabi: “I never gave up, and now the score with this circuit is settled. And it is a positive one.” – the former Ferrari race engineer concluded.
Fifteen years after that heartbreaking night, Andrea Stella stood on the Yas Marina pit wall as the architect of McLaren’s triumph – the perfect full-circle moment for one of modern F1’s most respected team principals.
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