Lando Norris of Great Britain, competing for McLaren, celebrates his second-place finish on the podium at the Chinese Grand Prix on April 21, 2024. This event was part of the Formula 1 World Championship, specifically Round 5 held in Shanghai, China.
According to McLaren team principal Andrea Stella, Lando Norris has now started to fully utilize the car’s potential, leading to his impressive second-place finish in the Chinese Grand Prix. Norris has been at the forefront of McLaren’s resurgence, building on the team’s momentum from the previous season and establishing themselves as a top contender once again.
Starting from fourth on the grid in Shanghai, Norris surprised everyone by securing a second-place finish, following his earlier podium in Australia where he finished behind the two Ferraris. Prior to the season, Norris had acknowledged the need to improve his mental approach in order to avoid costly mistakes during crucial moments in qualifying.
Throughout the first five rounds of the championship, Norris has consistently outperformed his teammate Oscar Piastri in qualifying, with the exception of one race. In wet conditions during the Chinese Grand Prix, Norris showcased his skills by securing a commanding pole position for the Sprint race.
Stella has praised Norris for his dedication and hard work, which has allowed him to maximize the opportunities presented to him. The team has identified areas for improvement, such as qualifying performance, and Norris has worked closely with his engineers and the support of the factory to make the necessary adjustments and fully exploit the car’s potential.
Furthermore, Stella has highlighted Norris’ progress in race management, particularly in understanding the behavior of the tires at the beginning of the 2024 season. In Shanghai, Norris executed a strategic first stint, countering potential moves from Ferrari and gaining track position over Sergio Perez of Red Bull. Stella noted that Norris is becoming increasingly consistent and adept at analyzing tire performance and race strategies.
Overall, Norris’ development in both qualifying and race craft has been commendable, and he has proven himself to be a valuable asset to McLaren.