P1racenews AI automatic summary:
McLaren boss Andrea Stella has expressed his bewilderment that attention on missed opportunities has overlooked Lando Norris’ improvement in F1 in 2024.
Norris’ championship hopes were dashed in Las Vegas last weekend when Verstappen secured the title with two races left. McLaren’s progress this season put Norris in contention as Verstappen’s main rival, but errors and strategic mistakes hampered his chances. Despite setbacks, McLaren’s resurgence under Stella’s leadership is considered a major accomplishment. Stella believes McLaren’s performance this year was hindered by Red Bull’s early season dominance. Norris has faced criticism for his racing approach against Verstappen, but Stella praises his ability to learn and improve rapidly. McLaren aims to have both Norris and Piastri compete for the Drivers’ Championship in 2025. Norris took time to process his championship hopes ending in Brazil, but Stella is confident in McLaren’s future success.
