Stella breaks down Norris 'unacceptable' brake drama at Shanghai

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McLaren team principal Andrea Stella has shed light on the alarming brake issue that Lando Norris encountered during the closing stages of last weekend's Chinese Grand Prix.

Round 2 of the 2025 F1 World Championship at the Shanghai International Circuit delivered a historic moment for McLaren, as the team celebrated their 50th one-two finish in Formula 1 history.

Oscar Piastri claimed victory, while Norris secured a hard-fought second place. However, beneath the jubilation, a shadow loomed over the MCL39 driven by the Briton – a brake issue that team principal Andrea Stella labeled "unacceptable."

Despite the triumph, Stella's post-race comments revealed a mix of satisfaction and frustration as he dissected the technical fault that nearly derailed Norris' podium finish.

Norris had been a strong contender throughout the race, holding second place behind Piastri for the majority of the 56 laps. Yet, as the event entered its final stages, he found himself battling more than just his rivals.

A progressively worsening brake pedal forced Norris to shift his focus from chasing victory to simply preserving his position. What started as a comfortable seven-second cushion over third-placed George Russell dwindled to a nerve-wracking 1.3 seconds by the time the chequered flag waved.

Stella, while proud of the team's overall achievement, made it clear that the reliability lapse was a blemish on an otherwise stellar day.

A Victory Marred by Reliability Woes

"We are happy with the one-two, but we had a failure on Lando's car with the brake pedal that we had to manage over the last twenty laps," Stella said, acknowledging the bittersweet nature of the result.

The issue emerged with roughly a third of the race remaining, transforming what could have been a dominant performance into a test of survival.

Norris, who later described the situation as a "nightmare," worked tirelessly with his engineers to adapt, but the fault threatened to undo his efforts entirely.

"Lando and the team did a great job in managing the situation and adapting the driving style to the problem, which then got worse to the point where it put the result at risk, which is unacceptable from a reliability point of view, we need to do better," Stella emphasized.

Unpacking the Brake Issue: A Technical Tightrope

While Stella was forthcoming about the severity of the problem, he remained guarded about its specifics, citing intellectual property concerns.

"We understand what the problem is, which I can't disclose for IP reasons," he said. "But fundamentally, it had to do with a leak in one of the components, not in the brake line, but somewhere else, and the main action required was to limit the peak brake pressure."

This cryptic explanation hinted at a complex issue within the MCL39's braking system, one that required immediate and creative intervention to keep Norris in the race.

The leak caused a cascading effect that compromised the pedal's responsiveness. As fluid escaped from the affected component, Norris faced a lengthening brake pedal, reducing his ability to apply the force needed for Shanghai's demanding corners. S

Stella's reluctance to elaborate further left room for speculation, but his focus quickly shifted to how the team and driver mitigated the issue in real time.

Norris' Adaptation: A Masterclass in Precision

The closing laps of the Chinese Grand Prix became a showcase of Norris' skill and composure under pressure. Stella detailed the extraordinary adjustments required to nurse the car home.

"You could brake, but very, very gently," he explained. "So what was 100-metre braking, became 200 metres, and towards the end, it was 300 metres because Lando needed to lift the throttle, coast to a certain speed and then apply very gentle brake pressure.

"That was to avoid the leak becoming too fast."

As the situation deteriorated, Norris' braking zones stretched further with each lap.

"The brake pedal was going long, and what we needed to do was to avoid the peak pressure, so Lando needed to brake with less and less and less peak pressure," Stella continued.

"It got to the point over the final laps where he was just coasting for a long time, off throttle, and then just applying minimum brake pressure to stop the car and go around the corner."

This delicate balancing act prevented a total failure, but it also extinguished any hope of challenging Piastri for the lead.

The team's 50th one-two finish will be remembered as a milestone, but Stella's parting words served as a rallying cry: "We need to do better."

With the season in full swing, McLaren's engineers will now turn their attention to ensuring that such an "unacceptable" flaw doesn't resurface, preserving the team's momentum in their quest for Formula 1 glory.

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