Andrea Stella, McLaren’s team principal, has rejected claims that Lando Norris makes too many mistakes, particularly in the wet conditions during the Brazilian Grand Prix. Despite Norris finishing in sixth place and losing points to title rival Max Verstappen, Stella emphasized that the team’s performance should be considered as part of the reason for Norris’ struggles, especially in challenging conditions. Norris, who started the race in pole position, found himself outpaced by Verstappen, who had started 17th, ultimately finishing 30 seconds behind the race winner.
Norris’ race was marred by a series of setbacks, beginning with a poor start off the line that allowed George Russell to pass him into Turn 1. He attributed his slow start to wheelspin, which hindered his momentum. Later, an ill-timed pit stop, just before a Safety Car was deployed following a crash, caused Norris to lose further positions, including to Verstappen, the Alpines, and others. Another mistake at Turn 4 allowed Russell to pass him again, while a subsequent error at Turn 1 let Charles Leclerc through. Despite acknowledging his mistakes, Norris finished six places behind Verstappen, who surged to victory from 17th on the grid.
In response to questions about Norris’ errors, Stella defended the driver, stating that it was unfair to label him as someone who makes too many mistakes. He pointed out that while Verstappen was the favorite and ultimately dominated, McLaren could take pride in their overall performance. Stella also mentioned that while a race like this can result in setbacks, it was part of the learning process, and McLaren would use the experience to improve.
Stella also made it clear that McLaren’s development is ongoing, and even if they don’t win this season, they are committed to returning stronger in the future. He acknowledged that while Verstappen’s success was impressive, McLaren was proud of their progress this year. He remained optimistic about the team’s overall trajectory and insisted that the “dream” for the season was still alive.
In discussing Norris’ two costly errors, Stella noted that the team also had a role to play in the difficulties both Norris and teammate Oscar Piastri faced, particularly in the wet conditions. The drivers struggled with locking the tires, and Stella admitted that the car’s handling in those conditions was tricky and unpredictable. While drivers could always identify areas for personal improvement, Stella emphasized that McLaren needed to take responsibility for not providing the drivers with a more stable and predictable car. The Brazilian Grand Prix marked a rare occasion where Red Bull outscored McLaren, but McLaren still led the Constructors’ Championship.