“Not only more aware, but more capable”: Lando Norris’ growth in 2024 appreciated by McLaren boss
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.
I think Lando became not only more aware, but more capable of using his skills or developing new skills."
Furthermore, McLaren CEO Zak Brown discussed how much Norris could experience in just one year.
McLaren CEO on how Lando Norris' F1 journey sky-rocketed in 2024
Speaking to ESPN, Zak Brown said:
"Lando has gone from never winning a race to competing for the championship in the same year, which is pretty rare. Mika Hakkinen did it, one (win) in '97 and then won the championship in '98. I think he's had a lot to digest. Everything that we see is, every season he's getting better."
Lando Norris is currently second in the drivers' championship with 340 points.