McLaren Team Principal Andrea Stella and race winner Lando Norris celebrated their victory at the Miami Grand Prix, marking the end of Norris’ winless streak. Stella expressed relief, stating that the win lifted a burden from both Norris and the McLaren team. Prior to this triumph, Norris held the record for the most podium finishes in Formula 1 without a win. This victory was only the second for McLaren since 2012, with Norris previously finishing second in Monza 2021 behind Daniel Ricciardo. Stella emphasized McLaren’s belief in Norris’ ability to win races and acknowledged the pressure they felt to provide him with a competitive car.
Stella acknowledged that the lack of a win had placed a weight on Norris’ 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, particularly in addressing instances where he was overdriving and missing opportunities. He highlighted Norris’ improvement in qualifying and his ability to deliver consistent laps, even when a 100% effort was not necessary due to having a fast car. Stella also commended Norris’ race management skills, noting his maturity in recognizing the long game and strategically saving tires when there was little to do after the first lap. Once the cars ahead of him pitted, Norris was able to showcase his impressive pace. Overall, Stella described Norris as fast in qualifying, capable of pacing himself, and mature in maximizing his performance during races.