‘The mission is on’ says Stella after Norris's emphatic win

McLaren Team Principal Andrea Stella had some fighting talk for rivals Red Bull in the wake of Lando Norris’ emphatic Singapore win, declaring the mission is on in the quest for both championships.

Norris won by over 20 seconds for the second time in four races, and his result coupled with Oscar Piastri’s podium finish saw McLaren extend their lead over Red Bull in the constructors’ championship.

McLaren now lead Red Bull by 41 points with six races and three Sprint events remaining. But Norris also ate into Max Verstappen’s advantage in the drivers’ championship to the tune of seven points, with the Dutchman now leading by just 52 points.

Norris has won three races to Verstappen's seven this season, but has the momentum very much in his cockpit, with the Dutchman's winless Grand Prix streak stretching back eight races – Spain the last time he won a race for Red Bull.

It’s still a sizeable margin, but given how strong McLaren have been since the summer break and the fact they are scoring good points with both cars, Stella was clear that he believes both championships are up for grabs in 2024.

SINGAPORE, SINGAPORE - SEPTEMBER 22: Race winner Lando Norris of Great Britain and McLaren — Norris recorded the third win of his career in Singapore as he came home over 20 seconds ahead of the field

“It’s not always going to be that easy in the next few races but it’s very promising and it is also promising 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 drivers’ championship is still on, the mission is on,” Stella said in the aftermath of Singapore, while the fireworks were still lighting up the night sky.

“Hopefully we’ll have a few more [wins] in the next six races. Yeah, fully deserved by Lando. In fairness he’s been very quick throughout the weekend. I think yesterday, he was very conscious in his Q3 lap, we thought that by pushing 100% we could have gone even faster, so just everything came together this weekend.”

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Norris was quick from the word go in Singapore, more than putting to bed his poor luck in qualifying in Baku that yielded a disappointing starting slot.

But with Verstappen finishing second despite Red Bull struggling at times in the weekend, it is clear that McLaren do have a difficult task on their hands to outscore the Dutchman by enough points to win the drivers’ as well as the constructors’.

SINGAPORE, SINGAPORE - SEPTEMBER 21: Pole position qualifier Lando Norris of Great Britain and — Norris knows he has to keep beating Verstappen to stand any chance of overhauling his rival come Abu Dhabi

“Achieving back-to-back victories is another milestone for us," Stella added. "The car was strong all weekend, making us optimistic for the rest of the season.

"We extend our lead in the constructors’ championship, and Lando reduces the gap to Max in the race for the drivers’ championship.”

Thanks to Daniel Ricciardo grabbing the fastest lap late on from Norris – and therefore denying the Briton the bonus point – Verstappen can finish second to Norris in every event left and still win the title.

That is why McLaren will be needing Piastri to get involved and beat the Dutchman as often as possible, and he may yet need Ferrari and Mercedes to also come into play before this season is done.

But they are definitely throwing everything at both titles now – which could make for a thrilling end to the season.