Andrea Stella emphasizes the importance of Norris during the development of the MCL60
The McLaren stable has successfully ended its season, after a very complicated start. Andrea Stella, the director of the Woking stable, believes that his star driver, Lando Norris, has a lot to do with it.
McLaren had a roller coaster season. The British team botched its debut with a single-seater lacking speed and complicated to drive for Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris. During the first Grand Prix, McLaren was squatting at the bottom of the grid.
The British team bounced back at the Austrian Grand Prix. The package brought proved to be very positive. Over the course of the season, McLaren continued the good development of its MCL60, finishing the 2023 year with a 4th place in the constructors’ standings.
Norris’ experience very important
For its very positive development, McLaren relied on the experience of Lando Norris. Although the Briton is simply 24 years old, this is his 4th season in Formula 1. After driving alongside Daniel Ricciardo and Carlos Sainz, the McLaren driver has gained a lot of experience. Through this knowledge, Lando Norris has contributed a lot to McLaren in terms of development.
McLaren’s director, Andrea Stella emphasized the importance of his English driver’s opinions. He also praises the calmness of Lando Norris, despite his quest for his first GP victory.
« Lando is in a stage of his career where he feels some stress », explained the Italian engineer in the columns of AutoSport. « He must be saying to himself: ”I want to win a race, I want to be there with the guys that I know are as good as me and see them win races”. I can really understand, the team can really understand the kind of stress that can create. He has managed this stress very well. Some drivers could have reacted differently, could have transferred their stress to the team. Could have said: ”guys, I’m here, I’m ready to perform, but where is the car?” I have never heard anything like that from him. His contribution, his support to the team have always been very constructive. »
Piastri has also contributed a lot
Oscar Piastri was McLaren’s rookie in 2023. After the bet four seasons ago on Lando Norris, luck and especially the nose has managed to make it for the English team. Despite his young age and his lack of experience in F1, the Australian won a sprint race and managed to keep his head above water with his team.
« He remained calm with a lot of control, with a 9th place in 2023, two podiums and a victory during the sprint race in Qatar during his first season, Andrea Stella congratulated. « He did not create any unnecessary stress. It’s quite exceptional. And I can understand why he was so successful in the junior categories. »
McLaren finished 4th in 2023, one place higher than in 2022.
