McLaren F1 boss Stella defends Piastri/Norris swap

Andreas Seidl's exit from McLaren has forced McLaren CEO Zak Brown to rethink his driver plans for 2023, with Oscar Piastri replacing Daniel Ricciardo and Lando Norris signing a long-term deal.

Piastri, the reigning Formula 2 champion, was originally set to join Alpine this year, but a contract dispute saw him released from his obligations to the French team. Norris, meanwhile, had been expected to stay at McLaren beyond 2023, but Brown has now confirmed that the Briton has signed a new deal that will keep him at the team until at least 2025.

The decision to swap Piastri and Norris has been met with mixed reactions, with some fans questioning whether Piastri is ready for a top team like McLaren. However, McLaren CEO Zak Brown has defended the decision, saying that he believes Piastri has the potential to be a future world champion.

Brown said:

"I think Oscar is a generational talent. He's a very mature driver for his age, and he's got a great work ethic. I think he's going to be a great addition to our team."

Norris has also welcomed the arrival of Piastri, saying that he is looking forward to working with the young Australian.

"I think Oscar is a great driver," said Norris. "He's very talented, and I'm sure he's going to be a great asset to the team."

The Piastri/Norris swap is a major shake-up for McLaren, but it is a move that Brown believes will make the team stronger in the long run.

"I think this is a great opportunity for us to build a team that can challenge for wins and championships in the future," said Brown.