Norris ‘driving at the level of a World Champion’ – Stella
McLaren’s Lando Norris secured his second consecutive Grand Prix win in the Netherlands, with team principal Andrea Stella praising his performance and consistency amid challenging conditions.
Lando Norris claimed victory at the Dutch Grand Prix, extending his winning streak to two races after his triumph in Hungary. McLaren’s Andrea Stella highlighted Norris’s ability to manage tyre performance and execute strategic overtakes, including a decisive pass on Kimi Antonelli under pressure from Lewis Hamilton. The win followed a challenging start where Norris fell behind Antonelli before capitalising on superior tyre management to regain the lead. Stella noted Norris’s improved racecraft, particularly in low-grip conditions, as a key factor in the victory.
Stella described Norris’s driving as operating at a World Championship level, emphasising his continuous improvement since the start of the 2025 season. He attributed Norris’s success to better tyre exploitation and car adjustments introduced after the Hungarian Grand Prix. Despite starting the year off the podium and struggling in early races, McLaren’s recent upgrades have transformed their competitiveness. Norris now sits 83 points behind Antonelli in the championship, raising questions about his title prospects.
The victory in Zandvoort underscores McLaren’s progress, with Norris leveraging upgrades that have significantly enhanced the team’s performance. Stella acknowledged the team’s turnaround from early-season struggles, where neither car finished in China. He credited Norris’s adaptability in high-downforce circuits, contrasting with the team’s weaker performance in low-downforce or high-braking scenarios. The improvements have positioned McLaren as a contender for race wins, though challenges remain in certain track layouts.
Stella dismissed speculation about championship ambitions, reiterating the team’s focus on one race at a time. He acknowledged the demanding nature of the upcoming Italian Grand Prix at Monza, where braking and drag characteristics may pose difficulties for McLaren. Despite these concerns, Stella expressed optimism about maintaining their recent momentum, particularly in high-downforce circuits. The team aims to confirm their progress in Monza before assessing their chances for the remainder of the season.