McLaren team principal Andrea Stella praised his team's resilience after Max Verstappen's controversial Turn 1 move on Oscar Piastri during the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, which he deemed "unnecessary" given the championship circumstances.

Despite Piastri being spun to the back of the field at the start, McLaren showcased remarkable recovery. Piastri fought back to score crucial points, while Lando Norris secured a vital win to clinch the constructors' championship.

"Sometimes adversities give you the opportunity to show your strengths," Stella remarked. "Oscar never gave up, and Lando delivered a perfect weekend under immense pressure, staying remarkably calm throughout."

The team's defining moment came during the final pit stop, which Stella described as "one of the best of the season." This crucial moment could have cost them the championship had anything gone wrong.

Stella admitted to nervousness in the closing stages, particularly regarding a potential safety car scenario that could have benefited Ferrari's Carlos Sainz. This concern prompted the team to push Piastri hard for a ninth-place finish, securing valuable points as insurance.

The McLaren boss noted that while the Ferrari and McLaren showed similar pace on softer compounds, Norris demonstrated superior speed on harder tires, building a comfortable safety buffer – a pattern seen throughout the season.

"I can't wait to see Lando and Oscar in the future with a competitive car right from race one," Stella concluded, highlighting the team's growing momentum and overall maturity.

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