McLaren boss Stella proud of 'harmony' between F1 teammates Norris and Piastri

[p]British driver [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/norris-lando/WSVABbVF/"]Norris[/a] eventually overcame the Australian in a three-way fight, also involving Red Bull's [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/verstappen-max/UV3mgeXB/"]Max Verstappen[/a], to clinch his maiden world title, even though [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/piastri-oscar/MqKAIeUf/"]Piastri[/a] had held a 34-point lead with nine races remaining.[/p][p]There were several occasions where McLaren's wish to ensure both Norris and Piastri raced on even terms were put to the test but relations between the pair remained cordial.[/p][p]McLaren have been off the pace so far under new regulations for the 2026 season, with Mercedes leading the way from Ferrari.[/p][p]But Stella has been pleased by the professionalism of his drivers.[/p][p][b]"It wasn't a given that, after last year - when they found themselves battling for the world title right up to the final race - the harmony they'd built would remain intact: yet not only has this not changed, but the relationship between them and with the team has actually become even stronger," [/b]team principal Stella said in a McLaren Q&A.[/p][p][b]"And whilst this might, in a sense, have been expected of Lando - given that he was ultimately the one to become champion - it was not quite so predictable for Oscar, who, instead, has relied even more heavily on the team to accelerate his development, both on and off the track."[/b][/p][embed guid="bbe82b04-0edf-4de3-aa22-bb6076a4a23d" url="https://x.com/McLarenF1/status/2085335276982042971?s=20" social-type="twitter" /][p]Mercedes teenage rising star [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/antonelli-andrea-kimi/ptGu0mT1/"]Kimi Antonelli[/a] is 50 points clear of Ferrari's seven-time former world champion [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/hamilton-lewis/tI5Vpe1h/"]Lewis Hamilton[/a] at the top of the 2026 drivers' standings, with fifth-placed Norris a huge 91 points off the lead.[/p][p]Norris, however, did win his first race of the season in Hungary before the current summer break and an optimistic Stella added: [b]"If we can continue the season as we did in Budapest, I think we can still achieve a great deal.[/b][/p][p][b]"To do so, we must keep pushing with the development and ensure we outpace our rivals - who certainly aren't standing still.[/b][/p][p][b]"There are still 12 races left on the calendar, so there are plenty of opportunities given that 546 points are up for grabs."[/b][/p]