Button sees Stella interfering: 'Knows he can get a stewards' reaction'

Andrea Stella was furious with Red Bull Racing and Max Verstappen for the crash during the Austrian Grand Prix. The McLaren team boss blameed, in his opinion, the leniency allowed in the 2021 World Championship battle between Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton for the Dutchman's approach in Austria. 

Verstappen and Norris were engaged in a multi-lap duel for the lead of the Austrian Grand Prix. Tensions increased on the team radio as Norris attacked Verstappen. The Brit felt like Verstappen was moving late under braking. For several laps, Verstappen successfully kept Norris behind, but eventually, the two drivers touched. It ruined both of their races, though Verstappen still finished fifth. Norris was forced to retire.

More and more complaints

Stella said: "If you don't address these things honestly, they will come back. They have come back today because they were not addressed properly in the past when there were some fights with Lewis Hamilton [in 2021]. That needed to be punished in a harsher way." Button highlights how Stella was simply trying to get a reaction out of the stewards.

"Drivers never used to come on the radio and say 'he pushed me off'. They do it because they know it's a reaction the stewards will hear, and they will do something about it. Because they have done in the past. Same with Andreas, he knows he could get a reaction that could change the result," Button told Sky Sports before defending Verstappen.

"Max, in the past, has been over-aggressive, especially against Lewis. It's not the same way with Lando at the moment. If they went a step further, it would be. I don't think he should've had a [bigger] penalty. When he braked, he slightly went to the left. Sometimes that happens. I think he moved to the left because Lando was there. Lando could've moved to the left. There was more circuit to go. It's hard racing. Sometimes it goes wrong. These two will fight for years to come," Button added.