Andrea Stella believes "the mission is on" for McLaren in their quest for both championships this year after Lando Norris' dominant showing at the Singapore Grand Prix. (More Motorsport News)
Norris claimed his third📖 career win on Sunday, finishing 20 seconds clear of title rival Max Versඣtappen to move within 52 points of the Dutchman in the drivers' standings.
The Briton's emphatic triumph, coupled with Oscar Piastri's thi⛄rd-place finish, also saw McLaren extend their lead over Red Bull in the constructors’ championship.
Norris led the race from start to finish, becoming the 60th different driver to do so in a Grand Prix, havi♊ng struggled off the mark in recent races when starting on pole.
With six races and three sprint sessions remaining in the season, the momentum is very much in the cockpit of the McLaren driver, though Verstapp♒en can finish second to Nor༺ris in every event left and still win the title.
However, team principal Stella bel𒉰ieves that despite Verstappen's sizeable margin in the drivers' championship, that both titles are still up for grabs this season.
"It’s not alwa𝐆ys going to be that easy in the next few races," Stella said.
"But it’s very promising, and it is also prom🦹ising that Oscar [Piastri] found a way to beat the two Mercedes today, got back on the podium.
"Many points for the championship and definitely the ꦏdrivers’ championship is still on, the mission is on.
But with Verstappen finishing se✅cond despite struggling in Friday's practice sessions🔯, McLaren have a difficult task in trying to outscore the Dutchman in the final six races of the season.
The next leg of the Formula One season takes place in Austin on October 20, a race that Verstappen has won for three consecutive seasons, with hi🐽s trio of victories a total only bettered by Lewis Hamilton (five) around the Texas circuit.
"Hopefully we’ll have a few more [wins] ꧒in the next six races. Yeah, fully deserved by Lando. In fairness, he’s been very quick throughout the weekend," Stella continued.
"I thꦇink yesterday, he was very conscious in his Q3 lap.
"We thought that by pushing 100% we could have gone even faster, so ev🍸erything just came together this weekend.”
