Lando Norris has a lot to be thankful for in 2025 now that McLaren has turned around their fortunes and become the fastest team on the grid.
At the start of 2023, they were struggling at the back of the grid with a lot of problems, but a lot of work behind the scenes has put them back at the forefront of fighting for titles in F1.
The last time McLaren won a Drivers’ Championship was in 2008 with Lewis Hamilton, although the team did win the Constructors’ title in 2024 following a brief battle between Max Verstappen and Norris.
It now looks like it will be a two-horse race between Norris and Piastri, as the pair enter the second half of the season battling for title success.
It could arguably be the only time either driver has a chance at winning a title, given the change in rules for the 2026 season. When discussing their impressive form in the Dutch GP Drivers’ Press Conference, Norris said he has one individual he needs to thank for the rest of his life.
Photo by Kym Illman/Getty ImagesLando Norris says he will thank Andrea Stella for the rest of his life
One of the key figureheads of the recent resurgence for McLaren has been team principal Andrea Stella, who was appointed to his post in 2023.
He was tasked with reorganising the team, with him focusing on the aero department by giving a more prominent role to Peter Prodromou.
McLaren also brought in ex-Red Bull engineer Rob Marshall, who was also part of their inner success circle that was headed by Adrian Newey. These key hirings have contributed to McLaren’s on-track performance, and Norris believes it was down to how Stella managed the team.
“Hands down, [Stella] for me has been – there are a lot of important parts of it – but a lot of it is down to Andrea. I’ll thank him for the rest of my life for the season we have had, because a lot of it is down to him,” said Norris.
Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris trying to keep McLaren united
Stella has insisted that the relationship between Norris and Piastri has only strengthened, despite some of their on-track mishaps.
Piastri has also stated that he hasn’t changed his relationship with Norris, with him determined to ensure that they stay united to continue their success.
David Coulthard is convinced tensions will ‘boil over’ at McLaren, given there have been some signs between the two drivers that they will fall out.
Piastri is noted as being the calmer of the two drivers, with Anthony Davidson outlining how the Australian ‘never’ shouts over team radio and controls the media narrative well.
Norris is honest when speaking about situations, which can open him up to more criticism at times.