Latest news with #AndreaStella
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Lando Norris has completely lost his mojo – McLaren F1 star needs quick fix to downward spiral
On the McLaren pit wall, situated at the end of the home straight in Montreal, they'd have literally felt the shudders and vibrations. The moment their two drivers and championship contenders collided and the moment the ill-titled 'papaya rules' first creaked, in a manner only a crash at 200mph can do. The post-mortem was actually very prompt and concise. Oscar Piastri, to the relief of the entire team, was unimpacted. He finished fourth, to conclude a damage limitation weekend. Team principal Andrea Stella put the incident simply down to a 'miscalculation'. And Lando Norris, in a matter of seconds, took full blame for driving up the back of his teammate, cutting short his race and costing him 10 points in the title fight. Advertisement To an extent, Norris should be applauded for how rapidly he took full accountability for a crash he labelled as 'stupid'. The Briton was in the wrong, eyeing a non-existent gap down the inside, with a collision unavoidable. He immediately apologised to Piastri in the media pen. The antithesis of Max Verstappen, there was no intra-team feud to see here. All is well. Norris walks away from his stricken McLaren in Montreal (Getty) Except, all is not well. With Norris, in particular. Why? Well, the Bristolian has completely lost his mojo. If this were an isolated incident, it'd be easier to move on. But the 25-year-old has, with two anomalies, endured a torrid first three months of the season. A season in which he started out as the favourite, armed with the fastest car. And if he can't find an antidote quickly, a maiden world title looks set to run away from him, both on the track and on the leaderboard. Advertisement The mistakes have been plentiful. Errors on his final laps in Q3, the top-10 grid-setting phase of qualifying, have been an all too common occurrence, costing him pole positions in China, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. He inexplicably crashed out in Jeddah, forcing a recovery drive the next day from 10th to fourth. His form, bar Monaco, did not improve as F1 returned to Europe. The Q3 errors continued in Imola and Barcelona, putting him on the back foot while Piastri enjoyed clean air and dominated out in front. Canada also showed the continuation of a worrying trend. Norris was quickest in the final practice session and, with Piastri struggling around the unique street circuit, pole seemed well within his grasp. Yet while the Mercedes of George Russell put together a perfect lap, Norris faltered twice: missing the final chicane on his first lap and clipping the wall on his second attempt. You have to wonder how the finale to his first title voyage last year – up against the unrufflable force of Verstappen – has affected him. The drivers' championship was well within reach in 2024, as McLaren stormed to the front of the pack. Last year, however, it was a weakness at the start which curtailed his challenge. From eight pole positions last year, Norris failed to lead after the first lap in seven of them. Advertisement It's not rocket science. You cannot win an F1 world championship with such glaringly crushing statistics. But more distressingly this year is the way in which Norris's endearing and cheeky persona seems to have departed. The driver a whole fanbase fell in love with, with his genuinely amusing Drive to Survive snippets, has been replaced with a driver whose continual knack of self-deprecating quotes is somewhat excruciating to listen to. Post-qualifying in Canada, it was 'I just made too many mistakes', while on Sunday it was even more stark. 'When I let them [McLaren] down like this and make a fool of myself like I did today, I have a lot of regret,' he said. Advertisement 'I'm not proud of myself, I feel bad, so apologies to all of them... I've let down the team and that's going to stay with me for a little while.' Even in customary press sessions with the media – granted, the drivers do a lot of them – Norris seems increasingly unengaged. A man going through the motions, his eyes often wander to the golf on the screens in the McLaren motorhome. Even with weekly interviewer Rachel Brookes for Sky Sports, Norris can barely raise a smile at the moment. This is not the charming, affable man we all know. Norris has endured a difficult first three months of the 2025 season (Getty) Oscar Piastri (left) now leads Norris by 22 points at the top of the world championship (PA) Nico Rosberg, brilliant again on punditry duties for Sky with his knowledge and eye for detail, believes it is time Norris employed a mental coach. Advertisement 'He [Lando] needs to work on the mental side', 2016 world champion Rosberg said at the last race in Spain. 'We all work hours and hours training our bodies… does he work with a psychologist or not? He definitely should because there's so much value in that.' This is not a new area of expertise in professional sports. The likes of Ronnie O'Sullivan, Steven Gerrard and Chris Hoy have worked with well-respected sports psychologist Dr Steve Peters. Even Rosberg himself, amid the heightened tension of his intra-team title battle with Lewis Hamilton in 2016, used a mental coach. Rosberg has even sent a message to Norris on Instagram with the suggestion. No reply was forthcoming. 'I worked with one, just to understand the best possible approach,' Rosberg added. 'I did two hours every two days leading up to the season. It was more difficult than the physical training, it was insanely difficult and extremely valuable.' 2016 F1 world champion Nico Rosberg believes Norris should employ a mental coach (Getty) Rosberg also went into further detail in Montreal regarding Norris's continuous self-deprecatory manner. 'If you say every day 'I'm not good enough', at some point you'll believe it,' he said. Advertisement 'I would strongly recommend he reduces that [negative comments], not always the negative.' Of course, none of us know the full detail of what is happening behind closed doors and in between the ears. It should be stated that there have been flashes of Norris's brilliance behind the wheel this year: those two anomalies coming at the season-opener in Australia and around the streets of Monaco. Two sumptuous pole positions were converted supremely to two victories. The talent and skill are still present. And it's also worth mentioning that the situation is not yet disastrous. The gap at the top is only 22 points. If Norris wins the next race in Austria and Piastri is forced to retire, the Briton would be back on top. Plenty can change and swing over the next 14 races and six months, including Norris's form and temperament. But at the moment, his downward spiral is alarming. Aussie rival Piastri has received plaudits for his coolness and composure under pressure. Across the garage, Norris is struggling to cope with the strain and stress of 'his year'. McLaren CEO Zak Brown is the Briton's biggest backer, and perhaps he can conjure a remedy. Because, right now, a quick fix is required to bring him back into contention.
Yahoo
10 hours ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Lando Norris: I'm going to make up for Piastri crash at Red Bull Ring
Lando Norris says he is looking to wiping the slate clean at Red Bull Ring, where he has raced well in the past - Getty Images /Jayce Illman It would be an exaggeration to say that Lando Norris's season hinges on the result in Austria this weekend. Whatever happens, we will still be less than halfway through this marathon, 24-race campaign. And as things stand he only trails his McLaren team-mate Oscar Piastri by 22 points in the championship. Less than a race win. But if ever Norris needed a morale-boosting weekend, it is now. The British driver joked on Thursday that he had 'almost forgotten' about his calamitous, race-ending crash into the back of Piastri in Montreal last time out until reminded of it by journalists on his arrival in Spielberg. But he was fooling no one. Nor in fairness did he attempt to. Truthful as ever, Norris went on to confess that it had been 'a tough couple of days' for him in the wake of that race. Advertisement 'It took me a little time [to get over it] because my team means everything to me,' Norris said. 'They are the people I have grown up with and have given me my opportunity in Formula One. 'I felt very bad for the team and all the people who work at McLaren. It was a tough couple of days. But I have become a lot better at dealing with those moments and speaking to Andrea [Stella, team principal] and my team around me, Zak [Brown, chief executive], and trying to move on as quickly as possible, was very important. So we come here with that in the past and we go again.' Norris has said that a lot this season. But this time a strong weekend from him feels more significant. The qualifying errors were one thing. But that mistake in Canada has turbo-charged the voices of sceptics who do not believe Norris has the mental strength to cope with the pressure of a championship campaign. And with Norris's home race coming up next week, where the spotlight on him will be acute – all the more so with the creation this season of a 10,000-seat 'Landostand' at Stowe Corner – the last thing he needs is to head to Silverstone off the back of another poor weekend. Hence why this race is so important. Advertisement Norris said if there was one positive, it is that this weekend's race takes place at the Red Bull Ring, one of his favourite circuits. Twice he has finished on the podium here, in 2020 and 2021, when McLaren were far less competitive than they are now. And last year Norris was battling for the lead of the race with Red Bull's Max Verstappen, only for the Dutchman's aggressive driving in the braking zone to end his afternoon. Norris (right) on his way to a third-place finish at the Austrian Grand Prix in 2020 - Getty Images /Bryn Lennon 'If there is any track that I kind of would say I would go to to give myself the best feeling and make myself most comfortable, it's probably here,' he said. 'Just from my stats, my enjoyment of the circuit. Some of the memories I've had.' Advertisement Norris did point out that Red Bull still had an advantage in high-speed corners, of which there are many in Spielberg. 'Max was on pole by like 4½-tenths last year,' he said. 'So we expect to be good, but maybe struggle a little bit in qualifying compared to some of our competitors.' Both Norris and Piastri – who admitted it was 'far too early' to talk about being given preferential status – still have one potential advantage over Verstappen. The Dutch driver remains on a disciplinary tightrope, one point off a race ban following his crash into George Russell in Barcelona. Not that Red Bull's four-time champion would take any questions on the subject. 'Are you joking?' Verstappen asked when his penalty points situation was put to him. 'Is this like a trap? I'm getting this question every single time, every weekend. Sorry, this is the last one. I have nothing to add.' Norris probably feels the same about questions regarding his mental strength. There is one way to stop those. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Telegraph
a day ago
- Automotive
- Telegraph
Lando Norris: I'm going to make up for Piastri crash at Red Bull Ring
It would be an exaggeration to say that Lando Norris's season hinges on the result in Austria this weekend. Whatever happens, we will still be less than halfway through this marathon, 24-race campaign. And as things stand he only trails his McLaren team-mate Oscar Piastri by 22 points in the championship. Less than a race win. But if ever Norris needed a morale-boosting weekend, it is now. The British driver joked on Thursday that he had 'almost forgotten' about his calamitous, race-ending crash into the back of Piastri in Montreal last time out until reminded of it by journalists on his arrival in Spielberg. But he was fooling no one. Nor in fairness did he attempt to. Truthful as ever, Norris went on to confess that it had been 'a tough couple of days' for him in the wake of that race. 'It took me a little time [to get over it] because my team means everything to me,' Norris said. 'They are the people I have grown up with and have given me my opportunity in Formula One. 'I felt very bad for the team and all the people who work at McLaren. It was a tough couple of days. But I have become a lot better at dealing with those moments and speaking to Andrea [Stella, team principal] and my team around me, Zak [Brown, chief executive], and trying to move on as quickly as possible, was very important. So we come here with that in the past and we go again.' Norris has said that a lot this season. But this time a strong weekend from him feels more significant. The qualifying errors were one thing. But that mistake in Canada has turbo-charged the voices of sceptics who do not believe Norris has the mental strength to cope with the pressure of a championship campaign. THE MCLARENS COME TOGETHER AND LANDO NORRIS IS OUT OF THE RACE! 😱🟠 — Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) June 15, 2025 And with Norris's home race coming up next week, where the spotlight on him will be acute – all the more so with the creation this season of a 10,000-seat 'Landostand' at Stowe Corner – the last thing he needs is to head to Silverstone off the back of another poor weekend. Hence why this race is so important. Norris said if there was one positive, it is that this weekend's race takes place at the Red Bull Ring, one of his favourite circuits. Twice he has finished on the podium here, in 2020 and 2021, when McLaren were far less competitive than they are now. And last year Norris was battling for the lead of the race with Red Bull's Max Verstappen, only for the Dutchman's aggressive driving in the braking zone to end his afternoon. 'If there is any track that I kind of would say I would go to to give myself the best feeling and make myself most comfortable, it's probably here,' he said. 'Just from my stats, my enjoyment of the circuit. Some of the memories I've had.' Norris did point out that Red Bull still had an advantage in high-speed corners, of which there are many in Spielberg. 'Max was on pole by like 4½-tenths last year,' he said. 'So we expect to be good, but maybe struggle a little bit in qualifying compared to some of our competitors.' Both Norris and Piastri – who admitted it was 'far too early' to talk about being given preferential status – still have one potential advantage over Verstappen. The Dutch driver remains on a disciplinary tightrope, one point off a race ban following his crash into George Russell in Barcelona. Not that Red Bull's four-time champion would take any questions on the subject. 'Are you joking?' Verstappen asked when his penalty points situation was put to him. 'Is this like a trap? I'm getting this question every single time, every weekend. Sorry, this is the last one. I have nothing to add.'
Times
a day ago
- Automotive
- Times
Lando Norris admits to ‘not the most joyful' talks after Oscar Piastri clash
Lando Norris has admitted that conversations with his McLaren team were 'not the most joyful' after colliding with his team-mate Oscar Piastri and failing to finish the Canadian Grand Prix. Andrea Stella, the team principal, said that 'tough' talks would be had in the days following that race and before arriving here in Austria, after Norris had broken McLaren's most important rule: that their drivers would not make contact with one another. Battling for fourth on the pit straight, four laps from the end of the race this month, Norris drove into the back of his Australian team-mate in a misjudged attempt to find a gap that did not exist. Damage meant the Briton had to retire, while Piastri continued, miraculously unscathed. 'There's been good understanding of everything, realising my thoughts and understanding things from both my side and explaining that to the team,' Norris said. 'But I made it clear from the immediate moment that I misjudged it and I took the fault for it. Of course, not the most joyful conversations, but conversations that needed to be had clearly and obviously from us as a team, because it's not just about myself, it is how we perform as a team and we all know what rule No1 was [to not crash] and [that] continues and will always be. 'In the unfortunate way, but a good way, I think many things have come out stronger than I would say they were prior to the weekend, which you might not expect, but is a good outcome.' Both drivers insist that the 'papaya rules' or team orders, as such, will not change and both will be free to race and battle for the championship. Before the Austrian Grand Prix, Piastri leads the drivers' championship by 22 points from his team-mate, with Max Verstappen third, 43 points adrift of Piastri. 'Lando put his hands up and apologised, so it's all good and I'm looking forward to going racing again,' Piastri said. 'Obviously what happened in Canada wasn't ideal but we're still free to race, still fighting for a championship each, so we'll keep going racing and make sure that, obviously, we don't come into contact again. It's a difficult one to navigate, but that's a good problem to have in some ways.' Norris is optimistic that this circuit, which is one of his favourites, will be as good as any in his bid to rebuild his confidence and close that gap to his team-mate with 14 rounds still to go. In the run-up to the Austrian Grand Prix the FIA has, for the first time, publicly released its penalty and driving standards guidelines, which the stewards use to form the basis of their decision-making (although ultimately they are only a guide rather than rules). It is the FIA's latest bid to increase transparency, which has been one of the main criticisms of Mohammed Ben Sulayem's presidency. Elsewhere, Franco Colapinto, the Alpine driver, has praised Lewis Hamilton for offering a lift back from the Spanish Grand Prix on his private jet. The seven-times world champion posted a message in the F1 drivers' WhatsApp group chat after the race in Barcelona, having had free seats on his jet. Colapinto, who was due to fly back with the budget airline EasyJet, was delighted. 'Lewis is a great guy and I had the best flight of my life with him,' Colapinto, 22, said. 'It was very special and very unique. You all know that he was my idol since I was very young, with Senna as well, and to be able to fly with him and have a bit of a chat [was great]. I said I'm going to London but on EasyJet and he came back saying he had a lot of space on his plane and invited me to go. 'Also flying private for the first time — two very unique experiences and a lot of stories from Lewis. A very special flight. I was very, very impressed by how he is as a person and how he is as a professional. A lot to admire from the personal part, from the sportsman. It was great, a dream come true.' Qualifying Saturday, 3pmRace Sunday, 2pmTV Sky Sports F1
The Independent
a day ago
- Automotive
- The Independent
Lando Norris on backlash from Oscar Piastri crash: ‘Not the most joyful conversations'
Lando Norris admitted he was subjected to 'not the most joyful conversations' with McLaren following his collision with Oscar Piastri in Canada. Norris was speaking at length for the first time since his world championship setback at the previous round in Montreal, where he crashed into the back of team-mate Piastri's car. Championship leader Piastri was able to finish fourth but Norris retired with damage which leaves him 22 points off the title pace ahead of the 11th round of the season in Austria on Sunday. McLaren team principal Andrea Stella had warned of tough conversations with Norris. Addressing the post-Montreal summit here in Spielberg, the British driver said: 'Of course, they were not the most joyful conversations, but they were conversations that clearly needed to be had because it is not about just me, but it is about how we perform as a team, too, and we all know what the number one rule (not crashing into a team-mate) was, and continues to be. 'So, there were very constructive things that were said, in an unfortunate way but in a good way, too, because many things have come out stronger which you might not have expected.' Norris accepted full responsibility for the coming together he said made him look foolish. He was already on the back foot in Canada following two mistakes in qualifying which left him seventh on the grid. He drove well to bring himself back into contention only to misjudge the move on Piastri which again raises questions over his credentials as a legitimate championship contender. But an upbeat Norris continued: 'I almost forgot about it until earlier today. I feel good and I am excited for this weekend. 'Yes, it took me a little time (to get over) because my team means everything to me. They are the people I have grown up with and the team that has given me my opportunity in Formula One. 'So, what happened in Montreal with my team-mate was probably the most painful part for me because it was the last thing I would ever want to happen and for that action to have come from me. 'I felt very bad for the team. It was a tough couple of days but I have become a lot better at dealing with those moments and speaking to Andrea, my team around me, and (McLaren CEO) Zak (Brown) and trying to move on as quickly as possible was very important. We come here with that in the past and we go again.' Despite the papaya-on-papaya clash, Norris insisted both he and Piastri are free to race. He concluded: 'No, nothing has changed. It actually showed the trust and honesty that Oscar and I have for one another. 'And it is important that we keep that going and we stay strong because we don't want the downfall that we know other teams have had in the past. 'We want to race fair, hard and on the limit but we don't want a repeat of what happened last time out and that takes both of us even though Canada was on me.'
