McLaren team boss Andrea Stella has denied Lando Norris is self-critical of his efforts throughout the 2024 Formula 1 season, saying the Briton is performing at “world championship level”.
Norris expressed frustration on Thursday with the number of mistakes he made in the opening 14 races, adding that he “didn't perform at a world champion level” in his outside bid to close in on Max Verstappen's title win.
Stella felt that Norris' comments exuded his particular self-deprecating “style”, and was adamant that his driver not only shared the traits of past F1 world champions, but was already performing at a satisfactory level.
He added that it was up to the team to match Norris and give the British driver a proper opportunity to win races on a more regular basis this season.
“My first reaction to his comments was that they confirmed his style. He's quite a self-critical person. He tends to look at the glass half empty sometimes,” Stella mused.
“Indeed, I think he definitely has the talent to be a world champion and is performing at a world championship level. Compared to perfection, he definitely has the chance.”
McLaren F1 Team's Lando Norris took first place, with McLaren F1 Team Principal Andrea Stella on the podium
Photo credit: Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images
“But it's good that we compare ourselves to perfection, because that's what we should be doing. And I was so encouraged that every little opportunity was actually analyzed in great detail.”
“I know that for example on the first lap there are some chances and I'm trying to find the balance between being aggressive or just avoiding situations and accidents,” the Italian added. “There are definitely things that we have to clean up at the start itself, but that's not just the driver's responsibility, it's the team's responsibility too.”
“I think there were some situations during the race where he had to take responsibility, but I think that's the team's fault. If the team had operated to a higher standard, Lando would have had more points in the championship.”
“And as a team, I certainly appreciate him putting pressure on himself and putting his hand up and saying it's his responsibility. But I think I have enough experience to say, 'Don't worry. It's the team's responsibility. Keep doing a good job.'”
Stella explained that Norris and McLaren are not going to be intimidated by the gap between him and Verstappen in the drivers' championship, which currently stands at 78 points.
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB20, Lando Norris, McLaren MCL38
Photo: Andy Horn / Motorsport Images
He added that there were moments when it felt like Norris could have achieved more, but that was normal for any championship contender and it was his strong performances that kept him in the fight.
“He can win the World Championship. That's a statement written in capital letters,” Stella said.
“In terms of this year's championship, we have no intention of giving up in terms of the numbers in terms of the drivers' championship. There seems to be a big gap to close and we are chasing Max Verstappen. It's certainly not easy for us, but we are excited to be in this position.”
“And it's certainly not because someone helped him that Lando is where he is. Lando is where he is because he's performing very strongly. This has to be acknowledged and understood in terms of his achievements, not just in terms of the one, two or three chances he had during the season where he could have done better. This is normal for any world champion in any season.”
Read also:
Source link
