Stella: Norris Finally Finds Chemistry with McLaren Car in Monaco

Lando Norris delivered a stunning performance at the Monaco Grand Prix, securing his second pole position of the 2025 season — edging out Ferrari’s, Charles Leclerc by just one-tenth of a second.

According to McLaren Team Principal Andrea Stella, the result highlights the British driver’s growing synergy with the MCL39, a car that had previously posed challenges for Norris in qualifying.

“I think it’s an important step in the process, not just for Lando but also for Oscar,” said Andrea Stella.

From Early Struggles to Monaco Mastery

Since his victory at the Australian GP season opener, Norris had been outshone by teammate Oscar Piastri, who has collected four wins. However, Norris’s form turned around in Monaco, showcasing maturity and technical precision in a highly demanding street circuit.

Stella credited the improvement to refined car setup and analytical adjustments made after analyzing race data.

“With Lando, we had several pieces of information that we could process and extract the needed adaptations.”

 Consistency in Q3 Highlights Car Setup Progress

One of Norris’s weaknesses this season had been his inconsistency during Q3, but his pole at Monaco underlined the team’s progress in adapting the car to his driving style.

Meanwhile, Oscar Piastri, who qualified third, struggled with the Nouvelle Chicane, indicating potential for further setup enhancements.

Despite the challenge, McLaren sees encouraging signs for both drivers moving forward.