Is McLaren to blame for Lando Norris’ struggles? Andrea Stella responds 

Andrea Stella doesn't hesitate to accept McLaren's shortcomings in maximizing Lando Norris' winning chances in the 2025 season.

Is McLaren to blame for Lando Norris’ struggles? Andrea Stella responds 

Oscar Piastri, Lando Norris and Andrea Stella (via F1)

McLaren has developed one of the fastest, if not the fastest, challengers on the grid for the 2025 season. Both drivers of the Papaya Squad, Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris are the front runners in the drivers’ standings. While Norris has performed at the top of his game since the beginning of the season, Woking might have a hand in making things difficult for the 25-year-old. As such, the Team Principal Andrea Stella voiced his opinion on McLaren being responsible for the Briton’s woes.

McLaren had intervened in Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris‘ battle in the previous year by enforcing the ‘Papaya Rules’. However, this season is different as Piastri is all set to race his British counterpart hard for the drivers’ title. The Aussie has already achieved the title lead after performing better than Norris over the first five races. Now, a majority of the fans are blaming McLaren for ruining the 25-year-old’s chances to succeed against Piastri.

Norris has also criticized McLaren’s chassis on multiple occasions despite the car being considerably faster than the rivals. Andrea Stella accepted Woking’s shortcomings in chassis development for the 2025 season. Stella reckoned that it was the team’s responsibility to improve the situation for both the drivers, more so for the 25-year-old.

I see very much of a responsibility of the team in terms of improving the situation.

Andrea Stella told GPblog

Stella pointed out that Lando Norris would have to work harder for a little bit longer until the team fixes the issues. The Team Principal highlighted that Norris’ confidence in the chassis was of utmost importance. Hence, in the meantime that Woking found improvements in the car, the Briton needed to maintain his confidence. Moreover, the 25-year-old needed to be available to adapt to the tricky conditions of the car until it was perfected in terms of development.

What’s important from Lando’s side is that in the meantime, while we don’t improve it, he maintains the confidence and he maintains an availability to adapt.

Andrea Stella added

Andrea Stella insists Lando Norris ‘doesn’t accept being slow’

Lando Norris is known for being too critical of his own mistakes on the track despite performing extremely well. The Briton also likes to give it his all on the track and maximize his chances of winning against the rivals. However, Norris is currently held back from giving it his all due to the issues in McLaren’s chassis. Andrea Stella believes that the problem partly lies in the current-gen cars of the ground-effect era.

Lando Norris (via RacingNews365)
Lando Norris (via RacingNews365)

Stella reckoned that the current cars were so fast that they had become difficult to adapt to. Moreover, the challengers were demanding that the drivers, as they did not fit the drivers’ natural driving style. The Italian pointed out that even the seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton had complaints about the car. The 54-year-old acknowledged that it was Woking’s responsibility to provide a fast enough car to Norris, as he did not accept being slower than the rivals.

These cars are so fast. They are so demanding in terms of just adopting a very natural driving style. We hear this even from Hamilton, seven times world champion, and yet he talks about driving the car in a natural way. You either kind of get what you anticipate from the car, or you’re going to be slow. And Lando doesn’t accept to be slow.

Andrea Stella noted

Mercedes and Red Bull seem to be the closest competitors to McLaren at the forefront. Even Ferrari is attempting to race at the front of the pack and contend for the championships. However, Woking seems to have a good enough lead to clinch onto it for now. The team must still keep up with development over the season to maximize their winning chances against the rivals’ ever-growing pace.

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