F1 LIVE | Did Red Bull copy McLaren? Verstappen hailed as the boss by Hulkenberg
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Stella: Red Bull did not copy McLaren
Andrea Stella has dismissed suggestions that Red Bull’s car design bears resemblance to McLaren’s amid the Austrian team’s return to form, insisting there’s little to be gained from copying rivals under the current regulations.
Speaking to GPblog during the United States Grand Prix, the McLaren team principal said: “You are always very attentive on the technical side. But in reality, especially at this level of maturity of the technical regulations and development, there’s nothing you can take from another car, something that may look a little bit different, like a component on another car, and have any probability that it’s going to work.”
Stella instead credits Red Bull’s upturn to internal progress, particularly in aerodynamics.
“If they have improved their car, it’s because they might have fixed some potential aerodynamic issues,” he said.
The Italian highlighted how Red Bull’s recent upgrades, including a new floor in Monza and a front wing in Singapore, have clearly delivered results.
“It could be that they’ve simply understood that this generation of cars, and their own car as well, needs to be run while challenging certain aspects like ride heights,” Stella concluded. “For me, if I had to speculate, that’s where I would put my $1.”
Hulkenberg: Verstappen is the boss of F1
Nico Hulkenberg has praised Max Verstappen as “the boss ruling everyone at the moment” after the Dutchman’s dominant performance at the United States Grand Prix.
Speaking to Viaplay, the Haas driver lauded Verstappen’s class and consistency, calling his resurgence “simply incredible.”
Hulkenberg said: “It’s just incredible what he does, together with Red Bull. He’s showing his class, he’s showing that he’s a four-time world champion, that he’s the boss ruling everyone at the moment.”
Verstappen once again delivered a flawless weekend at COTA, taking pole, winning the Sprint and the Grand Prix, trimming his deficit in the standings to 40 points with five rounds to go.
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff also joined in the praise, telling GPblog that Verstappen’s form has been “incredible” since the summer break, noting how both the driver and team have “turned a corner.”
Wolff admitted it’s hard to see anyone matching the Red Bull star’s current level. Formula 1 analyst Peter Windsor went a step further, naming Verstappen his “driver of the weekend.”
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