# Stella: McLaren's Mexico GP Qualifying Disaster

> McLaren's Mexico City GP podium hopes destroyed by poor qualifying and dirty air, says team principal.
- Title: Stella: McLaren's Mexico GP Qualifying Disaster · Motorsport
- Summary: McLaren's Mexico City GP podium hopes destroyed by poor qualifying and dirty air, says team principal. McLaren's team principal Andrea Stella says poor…
- Keywords: andrea stella, mclaren, lando norris, oscar piastri, ferrari, red bull racing, constructors championship, mexico city gp, Motorsport
- Source: Motorsport — https://motorsport.com/f1/news/stella-explains-how-a-nightmare-qualifying-destroyed-mclarens-mexico-gp-we-paid-the-price/10871257
- Author: Rahaan Mazumder
- Published: 2026-11-03T23:50:58+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: andrea stella, mclaren, lando norris, oscar piastri, ferrari, red bull racing, constructors championship, mexico city gp, sports, cars
## Qualifying disaster
McLaren's Mexico City GP podium hopes destroyed by poor qualifying and dirty air.

> We paid the price for both our drivers’ starting grid positions and the limitations imposed by the technical regulations, which make overtaking practically impossible on a track like this
## Lando Norris stuck in DRS train
Lando Norris burned tires in turbulent wake of rivals during race.

> I think he could now draw the rear of their cars with his eyes closed
## Oscar Piastri penalty
Oscar Piastri received 17-point penalty after contact with Arvid Lindblad.

> A real shame because oscar had staged a good comeback
## 17-point Constructors' Championship gap
McLaren trails Red Bull by 17 points in Constructors' Championship.

> We have 17 points to make up, but i believe that with the pace we showed today and the upgrades coming to brazil next week, we have every chance of achieving at least that target
## Stella's warning
McLaren must be perfect to close gap with Red Bull in Brazil.

> To do so, however, we’ll have to be perfect as a team, in every respect
## Key takeaway

McLaren's team principal Andrea Stella says poor qualifying and dirty air cost them podium chances at Mexico City GP, leaving them 17 points behind Red Bull in Constructors' Championship.