McLaren’s recent upgrades boost pace but cost control. Norris finds the limit in Jeddah, leaving the team searching for answers.
McLaren team principal Andrea Stella has opened up about Lando Norris’s qualifying crash in Saudi Arabia, saying the Briton hit the limits of a car that’s become quicker – but harder to control.
Speaking after the incident, Stella pointed to the delicate balance between speed and driveability, suggesting McLaren may now face challenges similar to those seen at Red Bull.
“Lando was extremely competitive all weekend,” Stella said. “Every session, every tire run, he put together strong laps. But in Q3, when he tried to extract just a bit more time, the car didn’t respond the way he expected – and that caught him out.”
Norris lost control after the car understeered slightly in Turn 4 and hit the unforgiving outside curb, leading to contact with the wall. Stella explained that recent upgrades have improved overall performance – but at a cost.
“We’ve made the car faster, no doubt. But it’s come at the expense of predictability at the limit. That’s what caught Lando by surprise.”
The Italian hinted that drivers may need to back off slightly when the car reaches its limit – a tough ask for someone like Norris, who refuses to settle for anything less than full commitment.
“These cars are incredibly fast and physically demanding,” Stella continued. “Even a seven-time world champion like Lewis Hamilton talks about the need for a natural driving style. You either trust the car’s feedback, or you’re left behind – and Lando won’t accept being slow.”
Stella emphasized the team’s responsibility in giving Norris a car that matches his abilities.
“It’s on us to give Lando a machine he can fully trust. We want him to feel confident pushing to the edge.”
Starting P10 will be a challenge for Norris, especially with Max Verstappen and teammate Oscar Piastri at the front. But Stella remains optimistic about the race.
“Of course, we didn’t want to be starting from tenth when we had the pace for the front row. But now it’s a chance to show our resolve, our mindset.”
He praised the team’s honest and focused debrief after qualifying, saying it laid the groundwork for a strong race strategy.
“If we can get some clean air during the race and unlock the pace we showed on Friday, this weekend could still end on a positive note,” Stella said. “In fact, it could even make us stronger as a team.”
Looking ahead, Stella says the team must learn when to pull back – and continue fine-tuning the car’s behavior to give drivers better feedback.
“It’s not always about chasing those final milliseconds. Until we can give our drivers a car that’s more consistent and intuitive, that responsibility lies fully with the team.”
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