It’s a celebration in Woking. For the first time since 1998, McLaren has clinched the constructors’ championship, sealed with an impressive victory by Lando Norris. As everyone congratulated each other, the McLaren CEO reflected on a nerve-wracking race and the strong leadership of Andrea Stella.
Historic Moment for McLaren
With Norris’s victory, McLaren ended the season as the top constructor. The last time the team claimed this title, Mika Häkkinen and David Coulthard were still driving the iconic silver cars. A long drought was finally broken, sparking an explosion of joy within the team. “This is a moment we’ve been working towards for years,” said an elated Zak Brown. “But without Stella, who has been leading the team since 2023, this wouldn’t have been possible. His technical knowledge, leadership, and ability to maximize everyone’s performance are simply unparalleled.”
‘Nearly Had a Heart Attack’
The race itself was anything but calm. While Norris executed his strategy perfectly from pole position, teammate Oscar Piastri was hit by Max Verstappen in the first lap, forcing him to join from the back. This put the entire pressure on Norris’s shoulders.
A crucial moment was Norris’s only pit stop. With Ferrari hot on their heels, a single mistake could have been disastrous, but the pit crew delivered a flawless 2-second stop. “That was the moment I nearly had a heart attack,” Brown joked. “The team was faultless, and Lando drove the race of his life. But man, those two hours were nerve-wracking.”
