Norris feeling “discomfort” from speedy Piastri 

McLaren has admitted the outstanding form of Australia’s “unique talent” Oscar Piastri is creating some “discomfort” for Lando Norris.

When Piastri replaced Daniel Ricciardo at the start of the season, the Melbourne youngster arrived at a McLaren team that was very much centered on Norris.

The Bristol boy has been part of the famous British squad since his debut in 2019 and overwhelmingly outdrove Ricciardo across their two seasons together which surprised many.

But 17 races into the first campaign featuring Norris and Piastri, it is the Aussie who is starting to create future world champion headlines.

This reached a new high watermark at Qatar where Piastri was outstanding, converting pole to a stunning victory in the Saturday Sprint and backing that up with a close second to Max Verstappen. The Aussie has now become the first F1 rookie to take multiple podiums since Lewis Hamilton in 2007.

Meanwhile Norris struggled to compete with his more junior teammate, finishing third in both races and being highly critical of himself after making errors in qualifying.

McLaren team principal Andrea Stella admitted Norris needs to turn the “discomfort” into a positive with Piastri proving to be a strong reference point.

“Lando knows himself that Oscar is a unique talent – you don’t see these kinds of talents in Formula 1 every day,” Stella told AUTOSPORT.

“He’s an absolute reference, even if he’s a rookie, and at times Lando knows that he will set the bar very high.

“For me, Lando sees this as a bit of discomfort, but it’s the discomfort you need to become the best in a way. 

“It’s a curse and blessing to be a champion.”

Stella said Norris can be an extremely harsh critic for himself but does not believe it will hinder things and is hoping to achieve the right balance, which will be a “journey” for not just the established Brit, but also the rising Aussie.

“I think even how harsh he (Lando) was on himself, especially following the qualifying on Friday, there will be an element of review and this will happen very honestly,” he said.

“And he will calibrate over time to see, how tough do I really have to be with myself? What is the target here? To be faster in every single corner, in every single lap, in every single session, or just be the best, which doesn’t imply all the rest?

“So I think there’s a bit of a journey for Lando, and it will be for Oscar, and for each of us in the team.”

McLaren hopes to continue its stunning form at the United States Grand Prix this weekend.

Photo by Steven Tee / LAT Images

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