As Lando Norris inches closer in his bid for the Formula 1 championship, McLaren has made a critical request of their star driver: stay calm and avoid “desperation” in his battles with Max Verstappen. Following Norris’s run-ins with the defending champion during the 2024 Mexico Grand Prix, McLaren’s team principal Andrea Stella revealed the team has been behind closed doors, advising Norris not to feel the need to “prove” himself.
Norris, determined to bring McLaren its first title since Lewis Hamilton’s in 2008, faces an aggressive rival in Verstappen, who has shown no hesitation to use hardball tactics. Verstappen’s track tactics — including forcing Norris off the road twice in Mexico and pulling similar moves a week prior in the U.S. — have only heightened the tension as the season nears its finale. But McLaren’s stance is clear: win, but don’t lose yourself in trying to outdo Verstappen’s confrontational style.
“It’s not for him to seek justice on track,” Stella explained. “He should race in a fair, sporting way as he always does, with the stewards there to decide what’s right. There’s no need to be desperate or prove anything; just go racing fair and square. That’s what McLaren wants, and it’s what Lando wants too.”
The message from McLaren was one of reassurance, reminding Norris to trust in his own style and the long-term plan. “Whenever these moments happen, we make sure to reassure him,” said Stella. “There’s no need to worry — time is a gentleman, and things will fall into place.”
During the Mexico GP, Verstappen’s aggressive defense allowed Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc to pull away. With a 20-second penalty hanging over Verstappen, Norris had an opportunity to overtake safely after Verstappen’s pit stop, helping McLaren stay within striking distance of Ferrari. According to Stella, McLaren gave Norris the green light to push for a pass — but without risking a potential clash with the Red Bull driver.
“We knew we had the pace to compete with Ferrari, so we told Lando, ‘If you can pass Max, go for it,’” Stella noted. “Our race was with Ferrari, not just with Max. We emphasized a safe approach, ensuring Lando kept both the drivers’ and constructors’ championships in mind.”
With just four races to go, McLaren remains laser-focused on balancing the battle for points with the need for consistent finishes. As the team reassured Norris, a measured approach could be his key to unseating Verstappen — a task made only more challenging as the Dutchman shows no signs of easing up in this high-stakes season.
