Norris Praises Stella: 'Can't Ask For A Better Team Principal'

Sunday, 17 December 2023 at 13:00

Lando Norris shared his opinion on McLaren's team principal, Andrea Stella, after his first year in the role.

Andrea Stella replaced former McLaren team principal and current CEO of Sauber Andreas Seidl in his position ahead of the 2023 season.

He was met with an enormous challenge straightaway as the Papaya team started the 2023 season with an underdeveloped car. However, the team principal led his team to turn things around and end the season on a high note, not with nine Grand Prix podiums.

Paddock was won over by the new McLaren team principal. Asked by motorsport.com whether he shares similar feelings, the 24-year-old responded:

"[I feel] exactly the same. I did an interview the other day [in Abu Dhabi], and I just said big thanks to him…"

Read also

'Put Six Wheels On A Car': McLaren CEO Would Like To See Regulations Open Up

Nobody except Mika Hakkinen, who somehow predicted the huge development step forward, expected McLaren to achieve a single podium after the season's first two races.

However, the team has introduced effective upgrades, was always on point with race strategies, achieved the fastest pit stop ever, and with its two drivers, managed to challenge Max Verstappen and Red Bull for a few Grand Prix wins.

Norris suggests the new team principal played a crucial role in the progress of the Papaya team throughout 2023 and is very happy to have him.

"Andrea is just the director of it all. He's the producer of the set, and everyone else is the cast but you need everyone to work together very well. That's what they're doing. So, he's done an amazing job. I'm very, very happy with having him where he is."

The British team was the third-best in the second half of the season in terms of accumulated points and is on a great trajectory to improve even further. Norris concluded he could not ask for a better team principal.

"He still does a lot for the team every single weekend in terms of racing and qualifying and all of that. But I can't ask for a better team principal."