McLaren team principal Andrea Stella has expressed his pride in the professional conduct of Formula One world champion Lando Norris and his teammate, Oscar Piastri, following the intense conclusion of last season’s drivers’ championship. The pair were locked in a high-stakes three-way battle for the title alongside Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, a contest that tested their partnership. Although Piastri held a 34-point lead with nine races remaining, British driver Norris ultimately overcame his teammate to clinch his maiden world title in the final race.
There were several occasions where McLaren’s commitment to ensuring both drivers raced on even terms was put to the test, yet relations between the pair remained cordial. McLaren has struggled for pace under the new 2026 regulations, with Mercedes currently leading the standings ahead of Ferrari. Despite these performance challenges, Stella remains impressed by his drivers’ professionalism.
“It wasn’t a given that, after last year — when they found themselves battling for the world title right up to the final race — the harmony they’d built would remain intact: yet not only has this not changed, but the relationship between them and with the team has actually become even stronger,” Stella stated in a McLaren Q&A. He added that while such maturity might have been expected from Norris as the champion, it was particularly notable for Piastri, who has relied on the team to accelerate his development.
The current 2026 standings see Mercedes teenage rising star Kimi Antonelli holding a 50-point lead over Ferrari’s seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton. Norris currently sits in fifth place, trailing the leader by 91 points. However, Norris secured his first victory of the season in Hungary just before the summer break, providing a glimmer of optimism for the team.
“If we can continue the season as we did in Budapest, I think we can still achieve a great deal,” Stella noted. “To do so, we must keep pushing with the development and ensure we outpace our rivals — who certainly aren’t standing still. There are still 12 races left on the calendar, so there are plenty of opportunities given that 546 points are up for grabs.”
Comments