Norris compared to Schumacher and Alonso: 'Following same career path'

Andrea Stella has been around for a while in Formula 1. The McLaren team boss worked at the highest level with the likes of Fernando Alonso, Kimi Raikkonen and Michael Schumacher, and in recent years he has been closely involved in the development of Lando Norris. The 52-year-old Italian dares: Comparing Norris to these world champions.

At least, if we talk about the career path these four drivers followed or are following. "Lando definitely stands together with them. It is the same category, the same kind of world championship material, the underlying talent, the mindset, the work ethos. It's all ready to go," Stella said in an interview with Motorsport.com.

"But at the same time, when you think about champions, there is a characteristic of champion in that they only get better," the McLaren team boss continued. "Real champions, they seem to just improve year by year. And I think that's the case because they use the intelligence, the ethos, and they get the best people around them. They do whatever it takes to get better and better because the sport gets only more and more competitive."

Norris extends contract

Norris extended his contract at McLaren last week. He was already fixed until 2025, but even after that, the Briton will remain active for the Woking-based team. Until when exactly the new commitment runs has not been disclosed, but it is at least a sign that there is an awful lot of mutual trust.

SoRed Bull Racing and Ferrari, two teams that were linked to Norris in the corridors, are missing out and will have to find another way to fill in for 2026.