P1racenews AI automatic summary:
McLaren boss Andrea Stella believes Max Verstappen’s clash with Oscar Piastri in F1’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix was “unnecessary” when the title was on the line.
Piastri was initially starting alongside Lando Norris on the front row, but got sent to the back after being spun by Verstappen on the first lap. Verstappen overtook Sainz and collided with Piastri on Turn 1, resulting in a penalty for him. Piastri finished 10th despite the setback. McLaren’s lead over Ferrari was under threat due to Piastri’s troubles, increasing the pressure on Norris. Stella criticized Verstappen’s move as unnecessary given the high stakes of the championship. In the end, McLaren managed to outscore Ferrari by 14 points. Stella praised both drivers for their resilience and strategic decisions during the race. He emphasized the importance of McLaren improving their car’s competitiveness to mitigate such risks in the future.
