Lando Norris has acknowledged that McLaren could really feel some nerves as he and teammate Oscar Piastri battle it out for the Formula One World Championship this season.
With each drivers having secured one win every within the opening two rounds, McLaren’s early dominance is obvious, and the British crew’s declaration of a free-for-all race between their drivers indicators a possible head-to-head showdown.
Piastri’s victory in China on Sunday added further gas to the rising intra-team rivalry.
Although Norris, 25, and Piastri, 23, have been given the inexperienced mild to race one another, Norris admitted that whereas it could possibly be thrilling, it additionally brings inevitable pressure.
“We were free to race in Australia and China, and I’m sure we’ll have some closer racing in the future,” Norris mentioned. “We’re both excited but, at the same time, a little nervous – I’m sure the team is too. But we’re ready.”
Currently, Norris holds an eight-point benefit over Max Verstappen and a 10-point lead over Piastri, heading into the following race in Japan.
“Besides Ferrari with Hamilton and Leclerc, I don’t think any other team has two drivers pushing each other as much as we do,” Norris continued. “That’s a huge advantage for us and something we’ll maximize. It’s helping us beat every other team right now.”
However, Norris, who brazenly admits his aggressive nature, is aware of that their pleasant rivalry will finally shift into one in every of direct competitors.
“As much as we work together and enjoy ourselves, we both want to win and show who’s best,” Norris mentioned. “There’s no hiding that. We’re two competitors who want to come out on top.”
The chance of a deteriorating crew dynamic is a priority that many will recall from the poisonous rivalry between Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg at Mercedes between 2014 and 2016. However, McLaren crew principal Andrea Stella is assured that Norris and Piastri will keep away from that destiny.
“We’ve been preparing for internal competition for a long time now,” Stella mentioned. “But like all things in F1, it would be arrogant to say ‘we are ready.’ The scenarios are complex and unpredictable. We learn as we go.”
Stella is optimistic about McLaren’s future, citing the wholesome crew dynamics between Norris and Piastri.
“What’s important is that both drivers share the fundamental values of supporting the team’s best interests,” Stella defined. “Oscar and Lando bring that naturally. There may be situations, but I’m confident that we will handle them and continue to grow in how we manage the team’s interests.”
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