“Don’t Want Him to Lie to Us”: McLaren TP Revisits Lando Norris’ Nightmare to Kill ‘Robotic’ Instinct

Giddy on finishing P2 in the Japanese Grand Prix, Lando Norris declared on the team radio, “We’re coming for Red Bull.” However, two years prior to the back-to-back podiums of the Briton, slightly north and extremely west of the Suzuka Circuit, the McLaren driver suffered a glaring blow at Sochi. Reputed for wearing his heart on a sleeve, Norris was visibly devastated as his maiden win quickly slipped. But feelings are the engine and must be kept up and running. Reflecting on the same, Team Principal Andrea Stella recalled Norris’ rise from the ruins at Sochi.

Despite the initial years of slow development, Norris is now a polished racer. His ability to self-reflect sets him apart. He has cemented his place in Formula 1. With the first obstacle done and dusted, is there more to him as a driver?

The aftermath of the Russian Blunder for Lando Norris

Prioritizing driver instincts during the Russian Grand Prix, the McLaren garage watched in horror as Norris slipped and slid on the tracks. The Briton made the best attempts to find a grip on wet conditions. Realizing the error in the judgment, Norris pitted but lost his lead, falling back at P7. It is one thing to fall behind because of an insufficient gap, but Norris had a 25-second lead over Lewis Hamilton. It was a big blunder on his part. However, Andrea Stella holds no hard feelings for the McLaren driver.

“I ignored the whole time,” Noriss confessed about telling his team to hold their tongue. However, two years after the great Russian blunder, Stella opens up about the incident, appreciating the Briton’s honesty. In a Beyond the Grid podcast, he reflected, “Having been close to winning races and realizing you’re not gonna compete for points, like it happened at the start of the season, it must create quite a significant blackout in this natural white framing.”

Had Norris acted as if everything was okay behind his eyes, Stella would have been on the fence. He said, “I would be surprised if there were no hints at all and I would say this is a robot or is lying to us. And we don’t want him to be a robot and we don’t want him to lie to us. We need to be natural and we cope with it.” 

Mulling over Norris’ post-race decompression, Stella admitted, “What makes the difference is that he kept being a functional, constructive instrument to the progress of the team. That’s the real difference – not to suppress or negate your ambition, your feelings. That’s what has made the difference in the respect and authority that Lando has gained in the team for his own behavior.”

READ MORE: “It’s Been Emotional”: Lando Norris Left Overwhelmed as First Podium at Home Made Special by Fans

And on cue, Lando Norris came back with a new zeal and determination, ready for the next challenge.

Give Norris a good car, he’ll give you a championship

Lando Norris is far from the rookie he was when brought on board as a potential WDC contender. Although he had a tough start at the British Constructors, he has now successfully made a dent in Max Verstappen’s future ‘dominance’ at Red Bull. He has accumulated praise from F1 giants as the season has progressed.

Moreover, the McLaren drivers have teased the ’86 Senna-Prost Renaissance. Lando Norris is the frontrunner for the camp announcing his threat to Mercedes, Ferrari, and the six-time constructors, Red Bull. From scoring a total of twelve points in the first eight races of the season, he scored 57 points in the last three races alone. He has therefore proved- give him a championship-worthy car and he will leave no bits behind to get the championship.

After the minor error at Lusail, although he lost out on a victory in the sprint, his mega drive from P10 to P3 was no less impressive. In Damon Hill’s words, Lando Norris is due a win. Albeit, McLaren’s development remains on this trajectory. Norris could soon emerge as a championship contender in the coming years.

Although the Briton can be extremely critical of himself, he puts in time and effort to learn. After the Sochi fiasco, the McLaren driver has learned to trust the team and trust himself. Norris’ five podiums this season are a testimony of his belief in the British Constructors.

WATCH THIS STORY: Lando Norris’s Innocent Mistake in Referring to Lewis Hamilton May not Please Max Verstappen & Red Bull

From a 20-year-old rookie who laughed at as little as Daniel Ricciardo‘s breath, to now mentoring Oscar Piastri as a big brother. What the Briton makes of himself in Formula 1, only time will tell.