McLaren back Norris and Piastri to overcome disastrous Formula 1 start
McLaren team principal Andrea Stella has backed drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri to recover from a disastrous start to their 2026 Formula 1 campaign following consecutive race weekends ruined by reliability issues and crashes.
The reigning two-time constructors’ champions have endured a miserable title defence across the opening rounds in Australia and China.
World champion Norris secured a fifth-placed finish in Melbourne, which remains the Woking-based outfit’s only race classification so far this year.
His Australian team-mate crashed out before his home race began, while both cars later suffered electrical failures that prevented them from starting the Chinese Grand Prix.
Early deficit in the standings
Those severe reliability setbacks leave the British squad trailing a distant third behind early championship leaders Mercedes and Ferrari.
In the drivers’ standings, the reigning champion sits sixth on 15 points, while the 24-year-old from Melbourne languishes in 12th after collecting just three sprint points.
Despite the lack of track time and race finishes, Stella insists the mood inside the garage remains resilient.
“It is a tough moment, that’s for sure.”
The Italian engineer admitted that failing to start a single Grand Prix has been particularly difficult for the younger driver to process.
However, the team boss praised the positive attitude both men displayed during post-race debriefs in Shanghai.
Relying on a winning mindset
The papaya team have developed a strong internal culture since their dramatic turnaround during the 2023 season.
Stella believes this winner’s mindset allows the team to focus strictly on elements within their direct control.
“In this case in China, there wasn’t much we could have controlled, so we just take any possible learning and we go again.”
He pointed to the difficulties they overcame during their double championship-winning campaign last year as proof of their inherent resilience.
“The victory was in Qatar and in Vegas, for the way we withstood the difficulties. That’s where you really become a champion.”
The defending champions will aim to resurrect their season at the upcoming Japanese Grand Prix in late March.
