In 2000 Stella joined Ferrari as engineer, working with an all-star line-up including Schumacher, Jean Todt, Ross Brawn, Rory Byrne, Nikolas Tombazis, James Allison and engine guru Pino D'Agostino.
Speaking on F1's Beyond the Grid podcast, Stella explained the "continuity and seniority" from Ferrari's golden era of success are still valid ingredients today as he tries to replicate them at McLaren.
"The seniority, the quality of the people involved; it was just extraordinary," Stella said.
"I think some of them they even accepted to stay in a certain role, knowing that they were absolutely ready to pick one or two higher levels had they gone to another team, but they accepted to stay in that role because that's what was needed to create what was possibly the strongest team that we have seen in Formula 1.
"There was so much continuity in this journey where you keep identifying what you need to add and you keep building brick by brick. I think this is something that we sort of missed during the Fernando [Alonso] era. And we could have built it, but definitely would have needed a lot of continuity and this brick by brick approach that was established as of the mid 90's at Ferrari.
"There are some elements of the script that haven't changed over the years, independently of the role that I've been on. And continuity and seniority, they do form part of this script. And this is what we are trying to do what McLaren as well."
Source: Autosport