The head of McLaren asserts that the MCL40 demonstrated podium potential, even though finishing in P5 and P7 was “disappointing.”

Piastri as the obstacle

Despite the disappointment, the data from the upgraded MCL40 was highly encouraging. Norris displayed formidable speed in clean air, while Piastri demonstrated that his defensive skills are exceptionally strong.

When Mercedes driver George Russell sought to recover from a lap 1 penalty, he found himself stuck behind Piastri for half the race.

"The team and drivers collaborated effectively, both in strategic choices and on-track performance, and the upgrades we implemented here positively influenced our results," Stella remarked. "Lando exhibited superb pace, and Oscar executed a strong race, successfully fending off Russell’s Mercedes for around thirty laps without granting him an opportunity to overtake."

"Team cohesion"

Arguably the biggest triumph of the weekend for Stella was steering clear of a repeat of the Singapore Grand Prix, where his two drivers collided. After Lando Norris disclosed earlier in the week that he received "numerous reprimands" from management regarding the incident, the papaya pair finally demonstrated teamwork in Texas.

"I was also delighted to see our drivers cooperating on the track, keeping in mind the priority, which is McLaren Mastercard’s best interests," Stella expressed.

While they sidestepped internal conflict, finishing P5 and P7 isn't sufficient if McLaren aims to close the gap on Red Bull—who just ascended to third place—in the constructors' championship.

“Clearly, a fifth and a seventh position are not outcomes we can be pleased with, but we must accept it and strive for improvement," Stella concluded. "We aspire to conclude the season positively and not just compete for the podium but also for victory, aiming to finish the championship in at least third place.”

Photos from F1 United States GP - Sunday