Lando Norris (R) and Andrea Stella celebrate their win after the 2024 F1 Singapore Grand Prix. (Photo by Clive Rose - Formula 1/Formula 1 via Getty Images)
McLaren team principal Andrea Stella has praised Lando Norris for his growth as a racing driver in the 2024 F1 season. This year, the British driver was in a title battle with his good friend and reigning world champion, Max Verstappen. Though Verstappen continued his dominant run at the beginning of the 2024 F1 season, McLaren and Norris quickly caught up to the Dutchman as they closed the gap in terms of performance.
From the Miami GP, the tussle between the two drivers heated up. They were involved in several on-track battles in Austria, Spain, and other tracks. Eventually, the headstart that Verstappen pulled at the start of the 2024 F1 season became key for him to win his fourth consecutive world championship in Las Vegas GP. Stella said (via GPBlog):
"With Lando, this year more than any other year, we have developed from this point of view, the self-consciousness. Even thanks to the support of the engineers and the people supporting Lando because like in any sport when you operate at the pinnacle, you have an entourage around you, you have a team around you to take care of all the aspects that are important to perform at the top.
