McLaren's Andrea Stella cautions team against ‘poison biscuits' amid triumph
McLaren triumphs amid warnings of rival tactics
McLaren team principal Andrea Stella has cautioned his team about potential disruptions from competitors, urging staff to steer clear of metaphorical "poison biscuits" as the team enjoys a resurgence in Formula 1. Following their first constructors' title since 1998, clinched at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Stella emphasizes the importance of maintaining focus and unity.
McLaren's victory marks a return to the forefront, not seen since Lewis Hamilton's first championship win with the team in 2008. The acceleration of their success became evident in the latter half of the 2023 season, particularly after significant upgrades at the Miami Grand Prix propelled drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri into competitive positions.
Stella's ‘poison biscuits' warning
Internally, Stella has been vocal about the dangers of complacency and external meddling, using the term "poison biscuits" to describe these threats. "Refusing the poison biscuits is one of the fundamental elements of checking and validating that the culture that we have created is not only words but exists in real life," he explained.
Stella highlights the risk of external attempts to sow division within the team, stressing the necessity of maintaining the current culture and cohesion. "We talk every day that we are not going to pick the poison biscuits. It would be very naive, it would be very arrogant to think that because we have achieved something now, we can relax," he noted.
Driver Lando Norris expressed his pride in contributing to McLaren's first constructors' title in 26 years. “I’ll remember my part in McLaren’s title forever,” he said, underscoring the significance of the team’s achievement.
Stella, who became team principal ahead of the 2023 season, attributes McLaren's turnaround to the effective unlocking of potential within the team and the collective efforts of its staff. Alongside CEO Zak Brown, Stella emphasized the importance of listening to individual contributions and fostering a strong, aligned organizational culture.
"The unlocking of the potential of the people is not only my contribution; it's the contribution of the management... Ultimately, it’s the accumulation of these numerous conversations that change the culture, build the trust," Stella remarked.
Reflecting on the importance of unity, Stella credits regular interactions with Brown for building the trust and alignment necessary for the team's success. "You see that as a team principal, as a CEO, you are one of us,” he noted, reinforcing the joint responsibility to implement and sustain the team's agreed-upon values and mission.
McLaren's renewed dominance in Formula 1 is a testament to their collective effort, strategic upgrades, and an unwavering commitment to unity in the face of external pressures. As they prepare for the upcoming season, the mantra remains clear: stay vigilant against the "poison biscuits" and continue building on their hard-earned success.
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