McLaren prepared for Oscar Piastri ‘headache’ against Lando Norris in 2024

Lando Norris could face stiff competition from Oscar Piastri in the upcoming F1 season.

McLaren prepared for Oscar Piastri ‘headache’ against Lando Norris in 2024

Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris (Via IMAGO)

McLaren signed Oscar Piastri in 2023. The Australian driver managed to deliver from the get-go. Piastri exceeded expectations in his rookie season against Lando Norris. Many expect the 22-year-old to potentially fight for race victory this year. Now, McLaren Team Principal Andrea Stella has made it clear that the Woking-based team would be ready to see a teammate rivalry in the upcoming F1 season.

Norris has failed to win a race in F1 despite coming close on a few occasions. Stella was asked if Piastri would cause a headache to McLaren with a potential victory in 2024. The McLaren team boss reckoned that he would be looking forward to suffering from this headache if the Australian driver managed to win a Grand Prix.

About Oscar getting his first victory, and you talked about a headache, my reaction was ‘A headache?' Wow! I look forward to it.
Andrea Stella told Speedcafe
YouTube video

The 52-year-old highlighted that a race win for Piastri would be an impressive feat as Red Bull won all but one race last season. Moreover, this would motivate Lando Norris as it would prove that the car was capable of winning races. McLaren last won a race at the 2021 Italian GP with Daniel Ricciardo taking the top step on the podium.

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It will be an incredible result considering what we saw last year with Red Bull when there wasn't really much space left for anybody else... and an incredible emotion for Lando as well because it would mean we have a car that can win race.

Lando Norris recognizes Oscar Piastri as a fair competitor

Lando Norris was matched closely by Oscar Piastri during their first season as teammates in 2023. Notably, Piastri managed to take the Sprint victory at the Qatar GP last season. Nevertheless, Norris outperformed the Australian driver over the course of the year.

Oscar Piastri, Andrea Stella and Lando Norris (Via IMAGO)
Oscar Piastri, Andrea Stella and Lando Norris (Via IMAGO)

Andrea Stella was convinced that Lando Norris would recognize his teammate as fair competition. Stella was confident that Piastri has always been fair when it comes to racing. Certainly, this would encourage Norris to push himself to the limit in a bid to outperform the Australian driver.

If I project myself for a second into Lando's head, I think I would recognise how fair a competitor he (Piastri) is. He is a very fair person.

McLaren has high ambitions for the upcoming season. The Woking-based team might find itself right behind reigning world champions Red Bull. Subsequently, Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri could be fighting for race victories this year. However, it remains to be seen if the British squad could match Milton Keynes.

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