McLaren team principal Andrea Stella says Lando Norris showed “cold blood” in Monaco win

McLaren team principal Andrea Stella predicted the “cold blood” victory from Lando Norris in Monaco could mark the start of a charge from the Brit in an ominous warning to his title leading teammate Oscar Piastri.

McLaren team principal Andrea Stella predicted the “cold blood” victory from Lando Norris in Monaco could mark the start of a charge from the Brit in an ominous warning to his title leading teammate Oscar Piastri.

Norris claimed his second victory of the year and his first since the opening round at Albert Park in Australia when he capped a near-perfect weekend in Monte Carlo.

Claiming the victory from pole position ahead of local hero Charles Leclerc, Norris closed the gap in the championship battle to Piastri to just three points.

Piastri finished third to claim a seventh straight podium this year, only missing the dais in the season-opening race in Melbourne when he finished ninth after skidding off track in the wet.

The 24-year-old has earned widespread praise for his cool demeanour behind the wheel with four wins so far this year as he bids to become Australia’s first Formula 1 world champion in 45 years.

Lando Norris is just three points behind Oscar Piastri in the driver’s championship standings after his win at Monaco. Picture; AFP

But it was Norris who was this time praised for the “cold blood” he showed en route to a victory Stella tipped could be the start of things to come for the 25-year-old this season.

In a race which came under fire for new rules requiring drivers to change tyres twice in a bid to improve racing on the infamously tight Monaco street circuit, Stella said Norris had shown the characteristics Piastri has been hailed for.

“We know there was going to be a lot going around his head, a lot of communication with the engineers, the strategists, etc and he was just calm, cool throughout,” Stella told reporters in Monaco as per ESPN.com.

Lando Norris lifts his trophy in the air to celebrate his win at Monaco, alongside McLaren's CEO Zak Brown and third-placed teammate Oscar Piastri. Picture: AFP

“I think Lando kept the high standards, the quality of execution and the lucidity that he has had throughout the weekend, I have to say. He was faster from lap one in FP1 and he kept building, to capitalise on a pole position.

“And …. he went through various situations which required cold blood, I would say.

“So, I really think that Lando deserves to be praised for a very, very well managed and executed weekend. And I think this is just the start of many more coming in the future.”

Norris made up 10 points on Piastri in the championship standings, intensifying the battle between the papaya teammates in the race for this year’s crown ahead of the next round in Barcelona this weekend.

The pre-season title favourite, Norris has come under fire from some quarters, including former Australia F1 champion Alan Jones, for his lack of mental toughness.

But he fired back at his critics following his “dream” Monaco win.

“People can write what they want. It’s not up to me,” Norris said.

“People have their own opinions, they can do all of these things. Thing is, none of them are true, 99 per cent of the time. So, it’s all crap.

“I don’t mind what people write as long as I know the truth and my team know the truth, and that’s fine.

McLaren's British driver Lando Norris (C) reacts after winning the Formula 1 Monaco GP. Picture: AFP

“I’ve been working hard over the last few months to get back to having that momentum that I had in Australia, that confidence.

“What I felt this weekend was a small step forward, but it’s not it. It’s not like I’ve nailed it now and everything’s back.”

For Piastri’s part, Stella said the Australian, runner-up in Monaco last year, had struggled to find a usual “rhythm”.

“This year, unlike last year, Oscar struggled to keep the rhythm. At times, he struggled a bit with the car, especially with some nervousness of the car in low speed,” Stella said.

“And this is also why, even in qualifying, it took him a little bit of time to build the proper speed and he stepped a little one step behind compared to the full potential that he could have expressed.

“So, more than absolute speed, it’s the consistency of the speed that I think he missed throughout the weekend. I think there’s a few things that we need to review on Oscar’s side, but overall, a very positive weekend.

“We always say, with both Lando and Oscar, that championships are made of consistency. So, when you cannot be as fast as you want, stay there. Sometimes you will not be able to win, but stay there and this is ultimately what Oscar has been able to (do).”

ENDS

Originally published as McLaren team principal Andrea Stella says Lando Norris showed “cold blood” in Monaco win