Andrea Stella believes that rivals are so focussed on the legality of the MCL38's rear wing that they are not concentrating on their own cars.

Sunday's Singapore Grand Prix saw a dominant performance from Lando Norris, while teammate Oscar Piastri was once again able to join him, as the McLaren steamroller continues to gather pace.

At Mercedes Toto Wolff described the evening as "painful", while Fred Vasseur admitted that Ferrari's problems began on Saturday, and though Max Verstappen held on to second, his team conceded a further 21 precious points to its title rival.

Speaking on Saturday, after McLaren had said that it would modify its rear wing, Helmut Marko suggested that the FIA should now switch its attention to the front wing on the MCL38.

Andrea Stella believes that his team's rivals focus on the McLaren's legality is distracting them from concentrating on their own cars, thereby allowing the Woking team to press home its increasing advantage.

"For us, making changes is pretty much transparent, so we may as well do it," said of the decision to quieten the baying mob by modifying the wing.

"It won't be a big consequence from a performance point of view," he insisted.

"Personally, as the principal of McLaren, I find that so much attention on our rear wing is just good news because it means that opponents are not focusing on themselves," he added, referring to the distraction caused by the wing a "red herring".

"Formula 1 is such a marginal game," he continued, "it's so complicated. When I see that there's so much attention from other teams, it means that they will be doing work, they will be doing analysis, they will be talking to the FIA.

"However, there's limited time and limited energy. They're using this time and energy to chase something that I think is a red herring. So for me, as McLaren, that's just good news."

With a 41 point advantage in the battle for the constructors' title, Stella insists that both titles are up for grabs.

"Definitely the drivers' championship is still on, the mission is on," he said.

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READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by ffracer, 24/09/2024 20:19

"Agreed, McLaren found a whole lot of somethings but Andrea Stella can’t deflect like the king of spindoctors (deflection) Christian Horner lol. The wing bends In the wind like a palm tree and a complying rear wing will hurt your bottom line (top speed). Nice try, Andrea."

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2. Posted by BillH, 24/09/2024 17:46

"@spindoctor, most likely McLaren have found a lot of "somethings" rather than just one as each part of the car affects another.
I too noted that different cars have movement of some of the wing elements, it isn't just a McLaren situation."

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3. Posted by Spindoctor, 24/09/2024 10:02

" Red Bull wants to take away your wings!
All the cars clearly (watch the video) have front wings which flex to varying degrees. It looks like McLaren have found "something" which is not solely to do with the wings, though obviously each element makes a contribution. Marko is clearly trying to create a climate in which FIA uses the data gathered from its 'front wing cameras' to disrupt McLaren.
"

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4. Posted by Wokingchap, 24/09/2024 9:45

"Good point Andrea.
If anything they were faster in Singapore."

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McLaren rear wing a "red herring", says Stella

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