Lando Norris backs McLaren’s ‘cold-hearted’ decision to oust James Key

Lando Norris supports the team's restructuring and has faith in the new management and technical personnel.

Andrea Stella and Lando Norris (Credits: PlanetF1)

McLaren‘s technical team has undergone a complete overhaul following a failed car design approach and a lackluster start to the 2023 season. Determined to get their performance up to par, the management has made some bold moves, sacking some of the old guards and recruiting top-notch talent from other teams. Lando Norris, the team’s driver, is all for the revamp and has voiced his unwavering support for the management’s decisions

Technical Director James Key was among those let go, but three new professionals have joined the company to fill the same position. The newcomers include Peter Prodromou for ‘aerodynamics’, Davide Sanchez for ‘car concept and performance’, and Neil Houldey for ‘engineering and design’. Speaking to Motorsport.com, Lando Norris said, “I guess as the driver, and the person that’s driving the thing affected by all of this is, I have just got to have the confidence and faith in the people who are running it.”

While the team has made considerable changes to its technical personnel, it has also hired Andrea Stella as its new team principal at the start of this year, following the departure of its previous principal, Andreas Seidl. Lando Norris believes the new director and his boss, Zak Brown, will guide their team to triumph. He is especially impressed by Stella’s leadership and management skills. “I think a lot of people do, up and down the paddock. So I have a lot of faith in him, I think he’s very good. So I have confidence in the changes and whatever the beliefs they have, I share those,” Norris said.

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Lando Norris acknowledges that the team had to be “cold-hearted” for their progress

Both MCL60 cars at Bahrain GP (Credits: Formula Nerds)

Following McLaren’s poor performance in the first two races, the team’s management saw the necessity for technological revisions. Norris agrees with the choice and feels they must up their game to be title challengers. “I’m thankful I’m not in that position,” he said. “It’s a very tough job to be in. I guess everyone has to make a decision at some point.”

“This is a business at the end of the day. [It’s about] what’s best for the business and not just maybe what looks the nicest.” the Briton said “and sometimes you have to be a bit more cold-hearted”

McLaren has now signed contracts with 15 employees from a number of top teams, including Ferrari, Red Bull and Aston Martin.

As part of McLaren's recent restructuring, the Woking-based racing team has formed a new Technical Executive Team consisting of Sanchez (vehicle concept),… pic.twitter.com/BVU40RS6kp
— Fastest Pitstop (@FastestPitStop) March 29, 2023

With McLaren’s underwhelming performance in the first 2 races, the team’s management realized the need to change the technical structure. Norris agrees with the decision and believes they need to up their game to be contenders for the championship. “It’s clear that we’ve not done as good of a job as what we should have done as a team, or a team who should be championship contenders and top-step contenders,” he said. “We’re far from the level we need to be at to be able to achieve that. So some changes were made.”

While the technical restructuring is in progress, Norris acknowledges that this isn’t only restricted to McLaren saying “it happens at every team up and down the grid.” The Woking team will be competing in the next race at Australia. The pressure is high on the team, as they are yet to score their first points of the season.