Andrea Stella, who currently serves as the Team Principal of the McLaren Formula 1 team, has shared his personal thoughts on Scuderia Ferrari’s performance during the 2025 Belgian Grand Prix weekend. Stella’s remarks focused on the setup choices made by the Maranello-based team, which surprised many in the paddock for their approach at the legendary Spa-Francorchamps circuit.
At the high-speed and technically demanding Spa-Francorchamps track, the Ferrari SF-25 single-seater stood out for its configuration, which was clearly optimized to maximize top speed on the long straights. Ferrari’s objective appeared to be precise: take full advantage of the high-speed first sector of the lap, where straight-line performance plays a dominant role. Indeed, Charles Leclerc delivered a very strong performance in the first sector during qualifying. However, he subsequently lost significant time in the more technical and twisty second and third sectors of the circuit, where downforce and cornering stability are critical.
Andrea Stella, however, did not fully support this strategic direction taken by Ferrari. Speaking after the conclusion of the Belgian Grand Prix qualifying session, he openly criticized the Italian team’s approach, describing it as overly aggressive and unbalanced.
McLaren Surprised by Ferrari’s Risky Setup Strategy: Stella Questions Their Direction
Andrea Stella, who took over as McLaren Team Principal after years of experience in Formula 1 engineering and operations, expressed clear skepticism over Ferrari’s aggressive setup. In his view, the Scuderia took a bold but questionable gamble by heavily prioritizing straight-line speed, which inevitably came at the cost of aerodynamic downforce in the corners. This trade-off rendered the Ferrari SF-25 difficult to handle in the more technical sections of the Spa circuit.
While Ferrari gained an advantage in the flat-out sectors, they struggled in the twistier parts of the track, where balance and grip are essential. Meanwhile, the evolving track conditions during the qualifying session ultimately favoured more well-rounded cars like the McLaren MCL39. Stella even remarked that Ferrari’s car resembled a dragster — designed for explosive straight-line performance but less suited for intricate cornering sequences.
Stella added that Ferrari’s setup would likely present challenges over race distance, especially if conditions change. Notably, weather forecasts indicated a possibility of rain during the Grand Prix, which could significantly alter the competitive order and require teams to adapt their strategies in real time. Stella’s concerns hinted at the unpredictability Ferrari might face during the race should their low-downforce approach backfire under variable conditions.
Stella: “I Wouldn’t Be Surprised to See Charles Leclerc Leading After Lap One”
During the Team Principals’ press conference following the qualifying session, Andrea Stella elaborated further on what he expects during the opening stages of Sunday’s race.
Based on the data gathered from qualifying, Stella admitted that it would not surprise him if Charles Leclerc managed to take the lead by the end of the first lap. Given Ferrari’s straight-line speed advantage, especially on the long Kemmel straight between La Source and Les Combes, Leclerc could potentially out-drag the competition in the opening moments of the race.
However, Stella was quick to underline the importance of maintaining a long-term perspective. He said that he would be reminding his drivers — Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri — that the first lap is only the beginning of a 44-lap race. According to Stella, the key to success for McLaren will be minimizing risks on the opening lap and managing tyre wear and pace throughout the entire Grand Prix.
He also pointed out an additional factor that could affect the early part of the race: the likelihood of rain. If precipitation does occur, then Eau Rouge — one of the fastest and most iconic corners in Formula 1 — may not be taken flat-out as usual. This would disrupt the typical aerodynamic tow effect that allows cars to slipstream from La Source up to the Les Combes braking zone. In such conditions, positioning, grip, and caution would become even more crucial than top speed.
As the 2025 Belgian Grand Prix approaches, all eyes will be on how Ferrari’s setup gamble plays out — and whether McLaren’s more balanced approach can yield better results over the full race distance.
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