Lando Norris’s McLaren boss Andrea Stella has backed his man to deliver the first back-to-back win of his career at Sunday’s British Grand Prix.
Norris took a tremendous victory in Austria last Sunday to reignite his world championship hopes against team-mate Oscar Piastri. But, for now, that triumph in Spielberg remains another one-off, given that all of his seven wins have been isolated successes.
Nevertheless, it took Norris to within 15 points of his Australian rival, who was runner-up at the weekend, going into the cauldron of Silverstone, where 150,000 fervid, mostly British, fans will congregate.
‘In terms of Lando being able to do that, yes, of course (it is possible),’ said Stella of Norris’s so-far elusive quest for consecutive wins. ‘There is absolutely no reason why not – given the talent, the quality, the race craft and even the trajectory Lando is on.
‘I am so very proud of Lando and how everyone handled the situation in Canada (where Norris collided with Piastri a fortnight ago) and the fact we came through it more united and stronger. But the most important thing at Silverstone is back-to-back victories for McLaren.’
Norris has driven superbly at times this season, but he has never capitalised on his potential dominance by building vital momentum.
Lando Norris won his third grand prix of the season by taking the chequered flag in Austria
Championship leader and team-mate Oscar Piastri (right) now only leads Norris by 15 points
McLaren team boss Andrea Stella is confident that Norris can win British GP this weekend
He pins his dreams on new-found purpose – the product of mind-coaching and a revitalised dedication to his craft.
While the 25-year-old is favourite to win his home race for the first time, in front of the stand at Stowe named after him, and where he will be roared on by popular acclaim, he called on his supporters not to boo Piastri.
‘I certainly hope that doesn’t happen,’ he said.
‘The British fans are normally very accepting of all of us, especially at McLaren, so the fans should support everyone.’