McLaren team boss Andrea Stella agrees with Lando Norris that there is not yet a two-horse race between his McLaren drivers. However, the Italian does expect an increasing chance of ‘drama’ between Norris and Oscar Piastri, as each race towards the end of the season becomes increasingly important for the title rivals. Yet, Stella does not foresee things getting out of hand between the two teammates. ‘Their relationship is even improving,’ reveals the team boss.
It seems there is no consensus within McLaren as to whether the title fight is already a two-horse race between the drivers of the British team. While Oscar Piastri sees the last few Grand Prix weekends as a battle primarily between himself and Lando Norris for victories, the Brit does not want to completely rule out Max Verstappen. Team boss Andrea Stella agrees with Norris on this point.
“It’s certainly not a two-horse race yet,” the team boss said during the press conference in Hungary. “Only when it is mathematically so, then it is truly a two-horse race.” Norris is currently only 16 World Championship points behind Piastri, which increases the pressure on both drivers in the second half of the season. Does Stella also expect more ‘drama’ between the two teammates? “It may occasionally increase a bit, because there is more pressure on both of them. Of course, each race becomes a bit more important as we approach the end of the season.”Piastri Grows More Confident in His First World Title: ‘But It’s Certainly Not Going to Be Easy’
Despite the challenges, Stella remains confident that things will not get out of hand within his team. “We have established a good approach for the races with the entire team, including the two drivers. They have also contributed to this,” the Italian seems to be referring to the so-called Papaya rules. “This approach will become increasingly important as the season progresses.”
Relationship Between Norris and Piastri Continues to Improve
According to Stella, in addition to the approach, it is also very important for the harmony within McLaren that the drivers continue to get along with each other. Much to the Italian’s delight, this has certainly been the case with Norris and Lando Norris so far. “Their relationship is even getting better,” reveals the team boss. “This is because we invest a lot in the relationship between the drivers themselves, but also in the relationship between the drivers and the rest of the team. This is just as important to us as, for example, aerodynamics. We want to give both Lando and Oscar the tools to pursue their own dreams, without harming the team. I am very lucky that both drivers understand this.”
