Nigel Mansell: It's time for Lando Norris to step up in McLaren’s strategy

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Nigel Mansell, a well-known figure in the world of Formula 1, frequently shares his insights on the sport with interesting analyses. As a former driver, he closely follows the events on the track and often comments on the performances of individual drivers, especially those racing for top teams.

One driver currently in the spotlight is Lando Norris, whose performances have been grabbing a lot of attention. The young Brit is achieving impressive results, and Mansell noted that Norris and Oscar Piastri are remarkably similar in terms of performance and skill this season. It’s tough to say who deserves the edge right now.

While McLaren’s leadership seems to be leaning slightly in favor of Norris, the situation can change quickly in F1. The sport is incredibly dynamic, and the rivalry between these two drivers adds an exciting factor to the competition. It’ll be interesting to see how this story unfolds throughout the season.

“I think it's up to Lando to step up because he's got to be at least as quick, if not quicker than Oscar and get the job done.

And like Lando said himself, he'd like to do it on his own merit. So yeah, I mean the pressure's on both of them.”-Mansell said, as quoted by Crash.

Nigel Mansell Nigel Mansell© Kidd in a Sweet Shop / Youtube Channel

Mansell thinks Piastri could be key in helping Norris chase a potential title, much like Sergio Perez did for Max Verstappen in 2021. He points out how important teamwork is in racing, noting that when one driver supports another, it can really impact the championship.

Mansell is excited about McLaren’s performances this season, as the team appears as a serious contender against Red Bull, the Austrian team that has been dominating year after year. The former F1 champion understands the importance of cohesion within a team and how crucial it is for every individual to support one another. This kind of atmosphere not only fosters teamwork but also sets the stage for positive results.

However, the big question remains: how long can McLaren maintain this level of performance? With the intense competition in Formula 1, staying at the top is always a difficult thing. It’ll be interesting to see if they can keep the momentum going and continue to push Red Bull for the title. 

He recalls how drivers like Perez and Lewis Hamilton have strategically held up rivals during crucial moments, giving their teammates a better shot at winning. Mansel stresses that this kind of collaboration not only makes the races more competitive but also adds an exciting twist to the championship fight.

A man who once dominated the F1 scene is delighted with the car McLaren has this season. Alongside that, the drivers on the team are also crucial to McLaren's future success. Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri are both young talents, with Piastri, in particular, impressing everyone with his remarkable performances this year.

Nigel Mansell on McLaren's car

F1 fans are optimistic, stressing that if McLaren doesn’t beat Red Bull this season, they have the potential to do so in the coming years. The combination of a competitive car and fresh talent could finally shake up the dominance that Red Bull has enjoyed. It’s an exciting time for McLaren.

“In my opinion, they've probably got the best car out there at the moment,” he said. 

“So they'll handle it superbly and between them I think they'll sort it out if it comes into place because you can't give away a place if you're not the car behind."

Mansell explains that if one driver is winning a race and their teammate is in third place, it might make sense for the leading driver to let the teammate take the win, especially if it helps their championship chances. However, if another competitor, like Max Verstappen, is in between them, it complicates things and makes it difficult to execute such a strategy.

He emphasizes that decisions will need to be made on a race-by-race basis. Mansell also appreciates the professionalism of the team in openly sharing their plans for the remainder of the season, highlighting the importance of clear communication in a competitive environment.

There’s been a lot of talk about McLaren’s strategies and what’s been happening lately within the team. It’s tough to say definitively who might have the advantage in the coming years, especially since both Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri are unique and talented drivers.

The former F1 champion may not have a clear answer about what the future holds, but one thing is for sure: we can expect some exciting events ahead. It seems that both Red Bull and McLaren could be at the forefront of the competition.

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