McLaren's Andrea Stella on Norris vs. Piastri Title Battle

McLaren Team Principal Andrea Stella commented on the internal championship battle between Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, with Norris currently holding a 24-point lead with three races remaining. Stella emphasized focusing on execution and maximizing opportunities rather than early point counting.

Why it matters:

McLaren's strong performance has set up an intriguing intra-team championship fight, highlighting the team's competitive resurgence. This battle could intensify as the season concludes, potentially impacting team dynamics and future strategies.

The Details:

• Brazilian Grand Prix Impact: Norris extended his lead by 23 points over Piastri during the Brazilian GP weekend, winning both the sprint race and the Grand Prix. Piastri, conversely, had a challenging weekend, crashing in the sprint and incurring a penalty in the main race.
• Stella's Approach: Andrea Stella stated, "We just have to make sure that we stay focused on ourselves, and focused on executing weekends like Lando has executed here in Brazil or Mexico. With Oscar, make sure our opportunities are capitalised." He added that the team would assess the points situation "at the end of Vegas."
• Norris's Lead: Norris leads Piastri by 24 points with a maximum of 83 points still available in the season.
• Piastri's Recent Form: Since the summer break, Piastri's only victory was at the Dutch Grand Prix due to Norris's engine failure. He has not been on the podium since the Italian Grand Prix.
• Las Vegas Outlook: McLaren struggled at the Las Vegas Grand Prix last season, with Norris and Piastri finishing P6 and P7, respectively. Norris has already downplayed McLaren's hopes for the upcoming Vegas race.

The Big Picture:

Despite a challenging Brazilian GP for Piastri, McLaren's overall form signals a significant step forward for the team. An internal championship battle underscores their competitive progress, moving from midfield contenders to potential frontrunners. The team's management of this rivalry will be crucial in maintaining momentum and avoiding internal friction.

What's Next:

• Championship Scenarios: If Piastri wins all remaining races, Norris would need to secure second place in each to be crowned World Champion in Abu Dhabi.
• Verstappen's Chances: Max Verstappen, now 49 points behind Norris, must beat Norris in Las Vegas to remain in championship contention for Qatar.
• Piastri's Challenge: Piastri needs to be within 25 points of Norris after the Qatar Grand Prix to have a shot at the title in Abu Dhabi.
• Team Focus: McLaren's immediate focus remains on maximizing performance in the final three races, starting with Las Vegas, to solidify their position and manage the driver's championship outcome.