Mclaren demands F1 rule overhaul to prevent "another 2021"

McLaren boss Andrea Stella calls for urgent action on racing rules following controversial Austrian GP incidents, warning of potential return to 2021-style disputes

Formula 1 must address "clear flaws" in its racing rules exposed during the Austrian Grand Prix, according to McLaren team principal Andrea Stella.

The Italian believes immediate action is crucial to ensure F1 delivers compelling on-track action without descending into the kind of controversies that marred the 2021 title fight between Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton.

Collision sparks wider debate

The catalyst for Stella's concerns was a late-race collision between McLaren's Lando Norris and Red Bull's Max Verstappen on lap 64 of the Austrian GP.

The incident, which resulted in Norris's retirement and a 10-second penalty for Verstappen, is just one aspect of a broader issue that McLaren feels needs urgent attention from F1's governing body.

Stella elaborated on the multiple facets of the problem:

"This race has given us a lot of good information to fix some of the aspects which are needed to go racing in a way that we can enjoy this kind of battle until the chequered flag."

Rule enforcement under scrutiny

The McLaren boss highlighted several areas where he believes the FIA's approach fell short during the Austrian GP.

He argued that stricter enforcement of rules regarding moving under braking could have prevented the Norris-Verstappen collision.

"It would have been enough to give Max the warning [for moving under braking], like a black and white flag - so don't do it again. And he would have been much more prudent in closing the door on Lando,"

Stella explained.

Track limits and penalty effectiveness

Stella also raised concerns about the application of track limits penalties, particularly in the context of genuine overtaking attempts.

He warned of potential negative impacts on racing, stating,

"Drivers will not even attempt to overtake, because 'oh, it will cost me one of the three strikes I have available'."

The effectiveness of penalties was another point of contention. Stella pointed out that despite receiving a 10-second penalty,

Verstappen still extended his championship lead.

"We have the driver that we are trying to chase in the classification gain 10 points. It definitely deserves a reflection,"

he remarked.

Avoiding a return to 2021

With the contentious 2021 season still fresh in memory, Stella emphasized the importance of addressing these issues to prevent a repeat scenario.

"We don't want to see another 2021. I thought that was not a good point in Formula 1 racing. It might have been entertaining, but not for good reasons,"

he asserted.

Call for refinement, not revolution

Importantly, McLaren isn't advocating for a complete overhaul of the rulebook. Instead, Stella calls for tighter enforcement of existing regulations.

"It should be taken as an opportunity to tighten up, to clamp up the boundaries and, in fairness, enforcing some of the rules which are already in place,"

he explained.

The team principal stressed the need for clarity and consistency in rule application, arguing that this would allow for thrilling battles without compromising safety or fairness.

"We need to be very clear that these rules cannot be abused in a way that then it leaves margin to do a couple of times the same manoeuvre and the third time there's going be an accident,"

Stella warned.

Looking ahead

As F1 moves forward, all eyes will be on the FIA's response to these calls for clarification and stricter enforcement.

The sport finds itself at a critical juncture, tasked with balancing the spectacle of close racing with the imperative for clear, fair, and safe competition.

Stella's parting words encapsulate the challenge and opportunity ahead:

"This is now taken as an opportunity for the FIA, and for the sport, so that we can in the future, hopefully, enjoy more of these battles.

This means that McLaren is in condition to race Red Bull, but knowing that this is not going to end up with a collision."