McLaren refute Norris' 'world champion' criticism

McLaren team principal Andrea Stella has shut down Lando Norris' suggestion that he has not been driving at a “world champion level” this season.

Norris currently sits second in the drivers' championship after 14 races, taking nine podiums including two victories.

Ahead of the Dutch Grand Prix Norris stated he has “not performed at the level of a world champion - simple as that” when reflecting on his first half of the campaign.

Norris has long been self-critical of his own performances, which Stella insisted is part of the 24-year-old's character.

“The first thing I make of his comment is that it kind of confirms his style,” Stella told media including RacingNews365. 

“He's quite self-critical. He tends to look occasionally at the half-empty part of the glass. 

“In reality, I think he definitely has the potential of a world champion, and he's performing at world championship level.”

Stella commends Norris approach

McLaren is seeking its first world championship since 2008 as it hones in on Red Bull in the constructors' standings, while Norris attempts to Norris a larger gap to Max Verstappen in the drivers' table.

Stella added it is easy to be critical when attempting to drive perfectly, highlighting it is the correct approach to take.

“If we compare against perfection, then definitely we have opportunities,” Stella stated.

“But I like that we compare ourselves against perfection, because this is what we need to do.

“I've been very encouraged that every little opportunity has been actually analysed in a great level of detail. 

“Lando has always been very open and transparent, like he does with the public, definitely with the team, and we are together in trying to nail and polish all the possible situations in which we need to be better at delivering according to the potential. 

“Definitely World Championship material. Like in everything, Lando, Oscar, the entire team, every single opportunity to improve needs to be attacked with determination to improve.”