McLaren team principal Andrea Stella has hailed Lando Norris’s performances this season, stating that the British driver is “driving at the level of a world champion.” Norris, 26, has delivered a string of strong drives, including a remarkable victory at the Dutch Grand Prix where he overtook championship leader Kimi Antonelli, marking his second consecutive win.
Norris’s triumph in Budapest before the summer break was his first of the year, coming amidst McLaren’s struggles to compete strongly against Mercedes and Ferrari under the updated 2026 Formula One regulations. Despite still trailing Antonelli by 83 points in the standings, Norris expressed confidence following his success in Zandvoort, claiming he feels he is outperforming all other drivers.
Stella has observed a growing confidence in Norris race by race. He explained, “Lando is capable of maximising performance in qualifying, and when the car slides or there is limited grip during the race, he truly excels.”
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At the Zandvoort race, Norris started from pole position but was temporarily overtaken by Antonelli after a second start following a red flag caused by Max Verstappen’s dramatic crash. Undeterred, Norris stayed within striking distance, pitting later and using fresher tyres to secure an impressive pass for the lead.
Stella was unfazed by that temporary setback, highlighting Norris’s strategic mindset and maturity. He said, “Lando now shows greater assertiveness and self-confidence, which doesn’t always mean being the most aggressive driver. Sometimes it means choosing to wait patiently and make a decisive move later in the race. His pass on Antonelli today was a perfect example of that.”
McLaren have re-emerged as genuine race winners this season, with Norris becoming a notable contender in the championship fight. Mercedes drivers Antonelli and George Russell, as well as Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton, who trails by 59 points, have acknowledged McLaren as a formidable competitor.
Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff recognised McLaren’s progress, attributing it to significant car upgrades. With Mercedes yet to introduce their latest developments, Wolff hopes his team can capitalize on future upgrades within the sport’s cost-cap regulations. He commented, “We haven’t had the resources to bring many developments throughout the year, so we are carefully spreading them to maximise championship points. The race has been challenging lately, but we’ll see later in the season if McLaren and Ferrari can maintain their development pace.”