The on-track madness may be over, but it was nothing compared to the noise Lando Norris made with his sheer dominance on the track. After taking the checkered flag in Brazil, his seventh victory of this incredible season, you’d think the McLaren garage would be popping champagne corks and measuring for championship rings.

But hold your horses. Team Principal Andrea Stella is pumping the brakes, and hard.
Even with a healthy points lead, Stella is keeping his team and his star driver firmly planted on the ground. It’s a message that rings with the wisdom of a seasoned crew chief: the job isn’t finished.

Is Norris the 2025 Champion-Elect?

Lando Norris has been on an absolute tear. Two back-to-back wins and a couple more podiums in the last four races have put him in the catbird seat for the 2025 Drivers’ Championship. He’s sitting pretty with a 24-point cushion over his teammate Oscar Piastri and a significant 49-point gap to Red Bull’s powerhouse, Max Verstappen.

With only three Grand Prixs and a Sprint left on the calendar, the math is starting to look mighty friendly for the Brit.But in the high-stakes world of Formula 1, nothing is guaranteed. One bad race, one mechanical failure, one slip-up, it can all change in a heartbeat. That’s the gospel according to Andrea Stella.

“He doesn’t own it,” Stella stated, his tone a blend of pride and caution. “From a driver’s point of view, team point of view, we just have to make sure that we stay focused on ourselves and focus on executing weekends like Lando has executed here in Brazil or in Mexico.”

It’s a classic motorsport mentality. You don’t celebrate until you see that final checkered flag of the season. Stella’s message is clear: the team’s focus is singular, one race at a time. The championship picture is just noise until the final points are tallied in Abu Dhabi.

The Looming Threat of Verstappen

While Norris enjoyed what looked like a Sunday drive to victory lane, leading all but a handful of laps, the race wasn’t without its drama. The shadow of Max Verstappen loomed large, even after a pit lane start. The four-time World Champion carved through the field with the ferocity of a driver with everything to prove, even leading the race at one point before his final pit stop.

Stella and the McLaren pit wall breathed a collective sigh of relief when Verstappen dove into the pits late in the race. It handed the lead back to Norris without a fight, but it also served as a stark reminder of Red Bull’s raw pace.

“I was hoping [Verstappen would pit] because it made our life a little bit easier!” Stella admitted with a laugh. He acknowledged that Red Bull’s strategy, pitting for fresh soft tires, was the smart play. “They showed a performance and a pace in the race that is meaningful… without the situation yesterday in Qualifying, I think Verstappen would have been there for the victory.”

That’s the kind of threat that keeps a team principal up at night. It’s the knowledge that even on an off day, your biggest rival has the firepower to challenge for the win. It reinforces the need for perfection from Norris and the entire McLaren outfit.

What’s Next on the Road to the Championship?

With the season winding down, the circus heads to the bright lights of Las Vegas before the grand finale in Qatar and Abu Dhabi. For Lando Norris, the path is clear, but it’s littered with potential pitfalls. He has to maintain the same laser focus and flawless execution that got him here.

The pressure is immense. Every session, every lap, every pit stop will be scrutinized. Can Norris handle the weight of being the hunted? Can McLaren continue to deliver a car capable of holding off a charging Red Bull?

Final Thoughts

This is what makes championship battles so electrifying. It’s not just about speed; it’s about mental fortitude, strategy, and a little bit of luck. While Stella preaches caution, the excitement is palpable.

Norris is closer than he’s ever been to achieving his dream. He’s driving with a confidence that’s turning heads and winning races, but as his boss rightly says, he doesn’t own it. Not yet. He has to go out and earn it, one corner at a time.