McLaren team principal Andrea Stella praised his team's resilience after Max Verstappen's "unnecessary" move on Oscar Piastri at Turn 1 of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. The incident sent Piastri to the back of the field, leaving Lando Norris to secure the crucial win for McLaren's constructors' championship hopes.

Stella highlighted three key aspects of the team's performance:

1. Oscar Piastri's determination to fight back and score valuable points
2. Lando Norris's perfect race execution under immense pressure
3. The pit crew's flawless final stop, which Stella called "one of the best pit stops of the season"

The team faced additional pressure in the closing stages, knowing a safety car could have compromised their strategy against Ferrari's Carlos Sainz. Stella noted that Piastri's recovery to P9 was crucial as insurance against potential late-race scenarios.

Stella also emphasized McLaren's superior pace on harder compound tires, which allowed Norris to build a safety buffer against Sainz. This performance differential, particularly evident in the second stint, proved decisive in securing the victory.

Looking ahead, Stella expressed excitement about the future potential of both Norris and Piastri, stating, "I can't wait to see Lando and Oscar in the future with a competitive car right from race one."

The victory demonstrated McLaren's overall maturity, mentality, and emotional resilience, though Stella hopes future success won't require overcoming such adversities.

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