Andrea Stella names one area where Lando Norris is ‘definitely’ better than Oscar Piastri at McLaren

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Lando Norris must feel, in private, that he’s quicker than Oscar Piastri when he’s truly on song. But with four races to go, only one point separates the two drivers.

As expected, perhaps, Norris comfortably dispatched a rookie Piastri in 2023. The Australian got closer last year but still finished over 80 points back.

This season, Piastri has taken his biggest leap yet. He’s won more races than any other driver, though Norris’ superior podium tally (16 vs 14) might explain why he has the slightest advantage.

According to Juan Pablo Montoya, McLaren’s car is more suited to Norris after the team’s upgrade plan concluded. This wasn’t a deliberate choice, he says, but it might have subtly swung the title race.

Andrea Stella hails Lando Norris’ tyre management over ‘long stints’

Speaking on F1’s Beyond the Grid podcast, Andrea Stella reflected on Norris’ ‘development’ as a driver.

He was present for Norris’ F1 test in Hungary and saw ‘great awareness’ from the outset. Now, the team principal believes that his biggest strength is managing the tyres over ‘long stints’.

Norris notably beat Piastri by executing a surprise one-stop strategy at the Hungarian GP just before the summer break, though the Australian had held on to win in the opposite circumstances at Spa.

“It’s been a fantastic journey together with Lando,” said Stella. “I remember very well his first test in Hungary – very talented. He clearly had great awareness of what he was doing in the car.

“His development has been continued. As a driver, he’s become very strong in the race, especially in some conditions.

“I think he’s definitely the best driver when it comes to going long stints, used tyres. That’s Lando’s regime.

“In addition to this great drive and the results that Lando has brought to McLaren, he has been a fundamental part of the leadership.

“The commitment he made to McLaren when we did not have much to offer… he trusted that we would turn the place around. That’s something that sent a strong message to everyone, to the entire team. A message of belief, it’s a message for which we are definitely grateful.”

‘People don’t understand’ – Andrea Stella on McLaren’s alleged bias against Oscar Piastri

Despite Norris’ inspiring ‘commitment’ to the team, Stella says there’s no ’emotional bias’ at McLaren. ‘People don’t understand’ that he views both drivers as his ‘sons’.

After the Mexican GP, Stella told Piastri he should be ‘proud’ of his fightback. He salvaged P5 after qualifying eighth.

However, his slump has seen him relinquish a 34-point championship lead. The reasons are still unknown – McLaren insist Piastri isn’t feeling the pressure of his first title fight.

It may be that Piastri struggles in low-grip conditions, which could hurt him at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix if it rains and on the notoriously slippery Las Vegas circuit.