Stella admits poor qualifying cost McLaren a podium in Mexico City

McLaren team principal Andrea Stella has admitted that a disastrous qualifying session effectively ended the team’s podium hopes at the Mexico City Grand Prix before the race had even begun, with both Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri unable to overcome the circuit’s notoriously punishing dirty-air conditions.

Norris spent the bulk of the 71-lap race trapped in a DRS train, burning through his tyres in the turbulent wake of rivals he could not pass. Mexico City’s high-altitude, thin air makes aerodynamic following uniquely punishing and cooling a persistent headache, meaning track position is almost impossible to recover once lost.

“As for our performance today, the race confirmed that we had the potential to finish on the podium,” Stella said after the chequered flag. “Unfortunately, we paid the price for both our drivers’ starting grid positions and the limitations imposed by the technical regulations, which make overtaking practically impossible on a track like this.”

Stella was candid about just how much time Norris spent staring at the gearboxes ahead of him, first behind George Russell and then behind Charles Leclerc. “I think he could now draw the rear of their cars with his eyes closed!” the Italian joked.

The afternoon was no less frustrating for Oscar Piastri. The Australian had been executing a composed recovery drive through the midfield before a controversial collision with Arvid Lindblad brought the stewards into the picture. The FIA handed Piastri a time penalty that stripped away further points from McLaren’s tally.

“The harsh penalty Oscar received for the contact with Lindblad cost us further valuable points,” Stella said. “A real shame because Oscar had staged a good comeback.”

The consequences extend well beyond Mexico. McLaren is currently embroiled in a tight battle with Red Bull Racing for third place in the Constructors’ Championship, trailing the Milton Keynes outfit by 17 points heading into the final race of a triple-header in Brazil. Every point dropped in Mexico now adds to the pressure Stella’s squad will carry into São Paulo.