McLaren dismiss Norris pressure struggles after latest errors

McLaren team principal Andrea Stella has downplayed suggestions that pressure has been lifted from Lando Norris, following his difficult São Paulo Grand Prix.

Norris started from pole position at Interlagos but finished the challenging race in sixth, following multiple mistakes. 

The Briton’s hopes of winning a first drivers’ title took a significant blow, as Max Verstappen recovered from 17th on the grid to claim a famous victory. 

Verstappen now has a 62-point advantage over the McLaren driver, with the Dutchman being able to win his fourth crown in Las Vegas. 

Norris’ first error in Brazil came right at the start of the race after breaking the aborted start procedure. He went onto go off the circuit twice during the race, costing him places.

Stella does not believe Norris will suddenly feel a release of pressure, and insisted that McLaren’s target has always been the constructors’ championship. 

“In terms of the constructors’ championship, I don’t think it changes anything, because it was always our priority,” Stella told select media including RacingNews365. 

“Even when there was a call to be made to support one driver or the other, it was always secondary to actually maximising the constructors’ championship. 

“When it comes to the drivers’ championship, I don’t think for Lando, there was any particular pressure, to be honest, we were enjoying the quest. 

“Sometimes from the outside, it may come across like, ‘Oh, there was an error there’. 

“It’s just like, when you lock the tyres with a car, like we did, I’m not looking at the driver, I’m looking at why the car keeps locking the front tyres in conditions like this, so I don’t think pressure was a significant factor at all.”

McLaren target more wins

Whilst Verstappen can seal a fourth consecutive title in Las Vegas, Stella recognises that the championship could still go Norris’ way. 

For that to happen, the 24-year-old will need multiple extraordinary situations to develop; however, Brazil proved that anything can happen. 

McLaren expect to be strong in the final races and are targeting to win them all, to ensure that at least the constructors’ championship is won.

“Now, clearly we will have to analyse the points mathematically, we are still in the championship,” said Stella.

“I think for Lando, for Oscar, we will try and go to the next races, trying to win the races. I think it will be the last two venues which should be quite good [for us]. 

“Vegas will be potentially more of a Ferrari track, we will see but all to play for. And the constructors’ championship remains and has always been our priority.”