F1 news: Lando Norris backed for title fightback ahead of Italian GP by McLaren and Andrea Stella
McLaren team principal Andrea Stella has backed Lando Norris to respond strongly in the Formula 1 title race, insisting the British driver’s best form may still be to come.
Norris lost vital ground in the championship fight after a tough Dutch Grand Prix, where he retired due to an oil leak, but Stella believes the setback could spark an even greater performance from his driver.
‘A better version of Lando’
“If anything, we may see even a better version of Lando because now is the time to extract, if there is anything more, even more out of his potential,” Stella said, as quoted by Sky Sports F1, ahead of this weekend’s Italian Grand Prix.
“I look forward to seeing Lando in the coming races. I'm sure this is going to be a great spectacle for Formula 1 and, if anything, it's going to make the competition with Oscar even more interesting.”
Extra motivation for the Brit
For Norris, the frustration of Zandvoort was clear. The Brit admitted the points swing was painful but says he now feels freer in his approach to the races ahead.
“Tough one. Of course it's frustrating. It hurts a bit, it hurts for sure, in a championship point of view. It's a lot of points to lose so quickly and so easily. There's nothing I can control now, so I'll just take it on the chin and move on,” Norris said, as quoted by Sky Sports F1.
“It's only made it harder for me and put me under more pressure. But it's almost a big enough gap now that I can just chill out about it and just go for it. The only thing I can do is try to win every race. That's going to be difficult, but I'll make sure I give it everything I can.”
Stella echoed those words, highlighting Norris’ character and professionalism.
“Lando's one of the most fair, balanced, in a way I would almost say trustworthy individuals before being a driver,” Stella said.
“When he says he's going to be full commitment or whatever he said, it just means that if anything he will try to extract out of himself even more from his incredible potential.”
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Papaya rules?
The McLaren boss also stressed that the team will not change its approach despite the evolving title picture, with both Norris and team-mate Oscar Piastri allowed to fight freely.
“When it comes to the team, what's important is that the team keeps racing in the same way we have gone racing so far,” Stella said.
“Staying as neutral as possible, facilitating the pursuits of their own aspirations for Lando and Oscar in a balanced way, in a fair way, in a sportsmanlike way and that's what we will continue to do.”
With Monza looming, all eyes will be on Norris as he looks to reignite his title challenge - and Stella is convinced the battle is far from over.
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