ARTICLE AD BOX
McLaren’s strategy last week has generated a lot of discussion. Many fans were disappointed when the team didn’t give Lando Norris the edge in the recent race in Italy. Although there was hope that Norris would be prioritized and potentially win, things turned out differently. The team pointed to their 'papaya rules,' which ultimately allowed Piastri to secure a strong result.
Nico Rosberg, a well-known name in F1, shared his thoughts on the situation, noting that Norris clearly wanted to win. However, it seems the team’s leadership isn’t keen on favoring any particular driver, even though Norris is closer to Max Verstappen in the championship standings.
“In Lando’s situation you want to win races on merit and not because your teammate helps you.
Turn 4, for example? You wouldn’t see it as your teammate helping you if the team said ‘calm down, hold position to keep the Ferraris behind’.”- Rosberg said, as quoted by Crash.
Former Mercedes driver Nico Rosberg believes it’s difficult to balance such situations, given that Piastri is also a driver with ambitions and the potential to become the team’s top driver. The McLaren leadership understands that making such decisions is not straightforward and can be tricky.
“It is hard on Oscar. Because he will have a No 1 contract.
It won’t say in his contract ‘you need to help Lando’.
He’s driving brilliantly also. He deserves every opportunity to get race wins."- he continued.
The German driver believes that Piastri still has the potential to become a world champion, as he’s not that far behind Norris.
Rosberg was asked why McLaren now needs to reconsider their strategy midseason. He explained that the situation was completely unexpected for the team. McLaren's usual approach has been to treat both drivers equally, giving them both the same opportunities.
This new challenge is an important learning experience for them. They have to carefully consider how to handle it and determine the best way forward. It goes against their usual practice of having two drivers with equal status and chances.
It seems that McLaren's leaders could not have predicted what to expect this season, and the current situation they find themselves in is quite intriguing. Rosberg points out that many people initially thought Norris had no chance of winning the championship. However, things have changed significantly.
The former Mercedes driver notes that McLaren is now a contender for both the Constructors' Championship and the Drivers' Championship. Nico observed that Stella and Brown are considering this possibility, aware that they have a fantastic team with the potential to achieve great things.
Andrea Stella on Lando Norris' performances
Andrea Stella recently addressed Lando Norris's self-criticism about his mistakes this season. Norris is known for being hard on himself, often feeling he should do better. Stella explained that Norris’s comments show how self-critical he can be and that he often focuses on his mistakes.
Stella believes Norris has the potential to be a world champion and is performing at a high level. However, he also mentioned that there’s always room for improvement. He appreciated Norris’s drive to be perfect and the way he carefully examines every detail to improve.
Stella highlighted that they are trying to find the right balance between being aggressive and avoiding accidents, especially at the start of races. He pointed out that improving performance at the start is a team effort, not just the driver’s responsibility. While Norris has taken some of the blame, Stella noted that the team also needs to improve. If the team had been better, Norris might have more points.
McLaren’s leaders have repeatedly confirmed their commitment to pushing the team forward and helping Norris and Piastri achieve success. Their goal is to build a team that will be a top contender for the championship in the upcoming seasons. While this season presents a chance for success, it might be too early to make definitive statements. Andrea Stella remains optimistic and is looking forward to what the future holds.
Stella reassured Norris that while it’s good for him to take responsibility, he shouldn’t put too much pressure on himself. He encouraged Norris to keep up the good work and reminded him that the team is there to support him.
Norris is already an experienced figure in F1, with several strong seasons behind him. At this point, it’s crucial for him to stay calm, not overreact, and focus on achieving success. It’s challenging to remain composed when presented with a rare opportunity, but he is surrounded by people who can guide him in the right direction.
Piastre also needs to have the same mindset.
English (US) ·