McLaren’s CEO Hails Norris’ Stellar 2023 F1 Season, Cites Teammate Piastri’s Influence

In a revealing insight, McLaren CEO Zak Brown commended Lando Norris for his outstanding performance in the 2023 F1 season, subtly hinting at the lackluster support from his former teammates. This remark underscores the vital role Norris’ new teammate Oscar Piastri played in his success.

Key Takeaways:

• Norris’ Strong Season: Lando Norris had one of his best seasons in F1, finishing ahead of his teammate Oscar Piastri, despite the latter winning a sprint race in Qatar.
• Brown’s Insight: Zak Brown believes that Norris excelled in part due to the competitive pressure from Piastri, contrasting this with the lesser challenge from Sainz and Ricciardo in previous years.
• Team Synergy: Both Norris and Piastri share a similar feel for the car, aiding in the team’s direction and engineering development. Brown highlights this synergy as a significant factor in their performance.

McLaren’s 2023 F1 season saw a notable performance from Lando Norris, who arguably had his best season so far, finishing ahead of his rookie teammate Oscar Piastri and celebrating on the podium seven times. Piastri’s contribution to the team was significant, including a sprint race win in Qatar.

Zak Brown, McLaren’s CEO, attributes Norris’ success to the competitive environment created by Piastri. In an interview with Speedcafe.com, Brown remarked:

“Lando was kind of unchallenged for the most part over the last couple of years. Even though drivers always drive to the best of their ability, we know if you have a teammate who’s pushing you, you just get a little bit more without even necessarily trying. It just happens.

“So I think in addition to just driving faster and harder, I think they quite complement each other. When you listen to them in the debriefs, they kind of say the same stuff. So that’s also helped the engineers and the designers pick a direction.”

Prior to racing alongside Piastri, Norris was joined by Carlos Sainz between 2019 and 2020 before having Daniel Ricciardo as his teammate from 2021 and 2022. Brown’s comments suggest a subtle yet pointed recognition of the dynamic changes within the team, highlighting Piastri’s role in pushing Norris to new heights. This observation not only underscores the evolving landscape within McLaren but also emphasizes the intricate interplay of team dynamics in Formula 1, where the synergy between teammates can significantly impact a driver’s performance and the team’s overall success.