McLaren team principal Andrea Stella talks about Lando Norris’ development—and why he now sees Norris and Piastri “like two sons.”
McLaren team principal Andrea Stella looks back with great emotion on Lando Norris’ 150th Grand Prix in Las Vegas. He still vividly remembers Norris’ very first meters in the McLaren – a test in Budapest that became the starting point of a special relationship for Stella.
“I remember exactly how he commented at the time on how we built up speed step by step,” he says. “And now we’re at the 150th race, fighting for pole positions, victories and the championship. It just feels warm.“ Stella emphasizes how close his relationship with his drivers Norris and Oscar Piastri has become. ”To me, they are like two sons,“ he says. ”It’s a great experience—both professionally and personally.” The close bond has grown organically over the years through hard work, trust, and shared developmental steps.
Norris’ development: More than just raw speed
Stella is particularly impressed by Norris’ driving and technical maturity. “The most important quality for a Formula 1 driver remains pure speed. You can be good in many areas, but if you’re not fast, the results won’t show,” he explains.
However, Norris has not only optimized his pace in recent years. “His technical development, his way of generating speed—all of that has been a highly interesting process that we have been privileged to accompany.”
Big leap this season
Stella also highlights Norris’ personal development, especially in the current season: “Lando has grown a lot—also as a person. After a phase in which he could have made better use of some opportunities, he managed to learn from it.”
Today, Norris uses all resources—his own as well as those of the team—much more efficiently and is therefore “at the peak of his performance.”
