Stella graduated in aerospace engineering at La Sapienza University in Rome.

[2][3] In 2000, he completed a PhD in mechanical engineering with an experimental study on fluid dynamics of flames.

[2] In 2006, he also worked as track engineer with Valentino Rossi, when the motorbike racer tested with Ferrari with the idea of a prospective move to Formula One.

[5][6] On 13 December 2022, it was announced that Stella would replace Seidl as team principal of McLaren, ahead of the 2023 season.

In the 2024 season, Stella led the team to its first World Constructor's Championship win since 1998.