Andrea Stella says it would be “not a good approach” for McLaren to prioritise Lando Norris as their No. 1 driver, even though the Briton is battling with Max Verstappen for the world championship title.
Norris’ victory in the Dutch Grand Prix on Sunday reduced Verstappen’s lead in the drivers’ championship to just 70 points. The Dutchman has now failed to win any of his last five races in 2024.
However, McLaren team boss Stella stressed on Thursday before the race in Zandvoort that Norris and his teammate Oscar Piastri would be treated equally for the time being.
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Watch the moment Norris took victory at the Dutch Grand Prix, beating Verstappen by over 20 seconds
Piastri – fourth in the championship, 46 points behind Norris – took his first GP victory in Hungary in July when McLaren insisted he take the win ahead of Norris. Norris initially ignored the team’s instructions to hand first place back to Piastri before eventually cooperating.
McLaren chief executive Zak Brown said afterwards that the decision on whether to install a new No. 1 driver was ultimately up to Stella, but last week the Italian told reporters: “I think when it comes to these conversations about being No. 1, I don’t think that’s a good approach to racing. We prefer to approach racing with fairness and integrity and then see what comes out of that approach.”
“At McLaren, no one goes their own way”
Brown continued: “For Lando to be in a realistic position to win the World Championship, he needs to continue to perform at his best. He needs to continue to be fast. Then he can move up the ranks on the track.”
“And if you secure a place on the track through speed and competitiveness, then we will, always guided by integrity and fairness, judge whether the team needs to go in a certain direction on some occasions in a 50-50 decision.
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Full race highlights from the Dutch Grand Prix, where Norris finished ahead of Verstappen and Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc
“Or we want to talk to Oscar and say: ‘Oscar, would you be willing to do this to support Lando in his fight for the world championship?’ But the conversation always has to take place before the race.”
“We should all be on the same page because ultimately, as a team, we are chasing and striving for the drivers’ championship. No one goes their own way and then the others have to follow. That’s our style.”
“I don’t think you can necessarily and simply summarize it like this: we choose a number 1 and then work accordingly. I would like to formulate this more clearly as a team and then decide more on a case-by-case basis.”
Piastri: We could both be in the championship fight
Piastri, who was also speaking ahead of the Dutch Grand Prix, said he did not expect to be asked to support Norris in his title fight: “No, I don’t think so. The first goal is to win the constructors’ championship.”
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McLaren’s Oscar Piastri blamed a poor start and being stuck behind other cars for most of the Dutch GP for narrowly missing out on the podium
“I think if we close the gap in the constructors’ championship, there is obviously a good chance that we can close it in the drivers’ championship as well.”
“I’m not far behind Lando in the table either. So if the call comes later in the year and the chance is realistic, I will of course do my part for the team.”
“But I think the gap is pretty big for both of us right now, so we’re going to focus on doing our best work every week and then see where we end up later in the year.”
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Full race highlights from the Dutch Grand Prix, where Norris finished ahead of Verstappen and Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc
“I think the most important thing for me is to get the best out of it every weekend. That gives the team the most chance in the constructors’ championship and that gives me the most chance in whatever happens in the drivers’ championship.”
“If I get the chance to win the drivers’ championship, I will do my best to be there.”
Italian GP live schedule from Sky Sports F1
Thursday, August 29
2:00 p.m.: Driver press conference
Friday, August 30
8.30 a.m.: F3 training
9.55 a.m.: F2 training
12.00: 1st practice for the Italian GP (starts at 00.30)
13:55: F3 qualification
14:50: F2 qualification
15:45: Second practice for the Italian GP (session starts at 16:00)
5.15pm: The F1 show
Saturday, August 31
8.25am: F3 Sprint
11.15am: Third practice session for the Italian GP (session starts at 11.30am)
13.10: F2 Sprint
14:15: Preparation for qualifying for the Italian GP
15.00: QUALIFYING GP ITALIA*
5pm: Ted’s qualification notebook
Sunday, September 1st
07:30: F3 main race
9.00 a.m.: F2 main race
11.00 a.m.: Porsche Supercup
12:30: Grand Prix Sunday: Preparation for the Italian GP
14:00: Italian Grand Prix
16:00: Checkered flag: Reactions to the Italian GP
5pm: Ted’s Notebook
*also live on Sky Sports Main Event
The 2024 Formula 1 season resumes this weekend with the Italian Grand Prix at Monza, live on Sky Sports F1. Stream every F1 race and more with a NOW Sports Month membership. No contract, cancel anytime
