(Motorsports news) Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri finished second and fourth in the latest British Grand Prix, respectively. After suffering through the first half of the season, it was a breakthrough performance for McLaren and its upgrade package, but it was also a significant boost for rookie Piastri, who took his best finish in F1 by some measure.
The highly regarded Australian has returned McLaren’s faith in him after the team went to considerable lengths to lure him away from Alpine last summer, and the 2021 Formula 2 champion has also had a beneficial impact on Norris, according to team principal Stella.
“Oscar’s performance in McLaren is just outstanding if you think he’s a rookie,” Andrea Stella added. And he was lightning fast right away, even in practice. “This allows for some synergies between the drivers because they can both see where they can improve from each other.” As a result, both drivers’ performance improves.
“So, not only are we impressed, but there’s a net benefit to having two competitive drivers because both can benefit.” Piastri’s race craft was identified as a possible area of growth after a year on the sidelines as Alpine reserve driver.
However, the 22-year-old’s mature race craft was on full display in Silverstone, when he kept Mercedes’ George Russell at bay and just missed out on a potential maiden podium due to an untimely safety car. I believe we have already witnessed the rapidity with which Oscar can deploy. “What stands out [in Silverstone] is his racecraft,” Stella remarked.
“It was immediately there, his ability to keep gripping the tyres, clean driving in an intense racing situation, thinking about the safety car restart on a hard tyre.” “This is a mature race craft, which is quite impressive for such a young man.”
Piastri was driving in Silverstone with the radical upgrade package that Norris revealed in Austria, but he was missing the new front wing that only the Briton received.
McLaren plans to get the Australian’s car up to the same spec as his teammate’s in Hungary, with more modifications expected to come on the MCL60 to complete a mid-season makeover that increased downforce levels and economy.
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