The McLaren team boss, Andrea Stella, and race winner, Lando Norris, celebrated their victory at the Miami Grand Prix, marking the end of Norris’s winless streak. Stella expressed relief, stating that the win lifted a weight off both Norris and the McLaren team. Prior to this triumph, Norris held the record for most podiums in Formula 1 without a win. This victory was only the second for McLaren since 2012, with Norris previously finishing second at Monza 2021, behind Daniel Ricciardo. Stella emphasized McLaren’s belief in Norris’s ability to win races and acknowledged the pressure they felt in providing him with a competitive car.
Stella acknowledged that the lack of a win had put a burden on Norris’s shoulders, but also admitted that the team felt the responsibility as well. They knew that once they had given Norris a winning car, he would deliver. Stella praised Norris for his progress and development, especially in handling situations where he was pushing too hard and missing opportunities. He highlighted Norris’s improvement in qualifying and his ability to deliver consistent laps, even when giving 100% effort was not necessary due to having a fast car. Stella also praised Norris’s race management skills, noting his maturity in recognizing the long-term game and strategically saving tires when there was little to do after the first lap. Once the cars ahead of him made their stops, Norris was able to show his impressive pace. Overall, Stella described Norris as quick in qualifying, able to pace himself, and mature in maximizing his performance during races.
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