Stella brands Norris' Monaco victory "as an important win"

F1 Grand Prix, GP Monaco, Monte Carlo Circuit

Reflecting on McLaren's performance at the Monaco Grand Prix, the Woking-based outfit's team boss Andrea Stella branded Norris' maiden triumph in the Principality as an "important win."

Although Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc dominated the practice sessions at the Monaco Grand Prix, McLaren drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri picked up the pace in qualifying.

The Briton set the benchmark in the middle part of qualifying before posting a track record in Q3 en route to a brilliant pole position in the Principality.

His team-mate Piastri was unable to put a perfect lap together when it really mattered, and ended up third on the grid behind the Ferrari of Leclerc.

Despite the introduction of a mandatory two-stop strategy for this year’s Monaco Grand Prix, Lando Norris controlled proceedings in the 78-lap race to snatch his first victory in the Principality from home favourite Charles Leclerc.

Piastri did not always look overly comfortable in his MCL39, but it was still enough for the Australian to finish on the podium and maintain his lead in the championship.

Reflecting on McLaren's performance at the Monaco Grand Prix, the Woking-based outfit's team boss Andrea Stella branded Norris' maiden triumph in the Principality as an "important win."

“A fantastic day in Monaco, as we secure the team’s first victory in the Principality since 2008. Lando put in an impressive performance on the way to an important win.

"Monaco is never an easy circuit to win at, and his ability to control the race helped secure this win today. On Oscar’s side, we would have loved to have scored a 1-2, but passing Charles would have been very difficult, as is often the case in Monaco.

Signing off with a word for the introduction of the mandatory two-stop strategy, Stella noted: "The mandatory three tyre rule posed some very interesting challenges coming into today’s race, and I'm proud of how we executed the Grand Prix.

"My thanks as always go to the whole race team, specifically the strategy team and pit crew who withstood huge pressure to deliver a great result, and of course all the men and women at McLaren who contributed to this historic victory today," concluded the Italian.