Lando Norris enjoyed a stellar 2023 campaign with McLaren, who are now setting their sights on reigning world champions Red Bull.
Andrea Stella has stated that Lando Norris is in the same league as the world champions he has previously worked with, such as Michael Schumacher, Kimi Raikkonen, and Fernando Alonso. In 2023, Norris had an exceptional season and is now considered one of the top talents in Formula 1.
At the age of 24, he achieved seven podium finishes in the last 13 races, with six of them being second-place finishes. Norris consistently posed a challenge to Max Verstappen, the reigning champion, in both qualifying and races, even when others struggled to do so.
Norris’ exceptional performances naturally garnered attention from leading teams. However, he solidified his loyalty to McLaren by signing an unexpected new contract, ensuring his presence with the Woking-based team until the new regulation period in 2026.
When asked about Norris’ comparison to other world champions he has collaborated with, Stella expressed to Motorsport.com, “Lando unquestionably stands shoulder to shoulder with them. He possesses the same caliber, the same championship-worthy qualities, including innate talent, a determined mindset, and an unwavering work ethic. He is fully prepared for success.”
However, when considering champions, it is important to note that they possess a distinct quality of continuous improvement. Genuine champions consistently enhance their skills and abilities year after year.
This phenomenon can be attributed to their utilization of intelligence, strong moral principles, and the ability to surround themselves with exceptional individuals. They are willing to go to great lengths in order to constantly improve, as the level of competition in their respective sport continues to intensify.
Regarding Norris’ progress since his F1 debut with McLaren, Stella mentioned that they have all the necessary resources, as evident from Lando’s performance during the free practice sessions.
This potential was noticeable in 2018 and has continued to grow. The key now is to maintain this growth year after year, just like any champion would. The team is fully committed to Lando and extremely pleased with his development.
With the team on an upward trajectory and both Norris and teammate Oscar Piastri signed to long-term contracts, there is a positive atmosphere within the McLaren camp as they approach the 2024 season. The team possesses all the elements required to challenge the reigning champions, Red Bull, in the upcoming seasons.
Leave a Reply