Norris is understanding his McLaren better and better
Despite very good results at the start of the season, Lando Norris still doesn't feel 100% comfortable in this MCL36. The learning process continues for Norris, as well as for the other drivers with these new F1 cars.
After a catastrophic Bahrain Grand Prix for McLaren, Lando Norris has proven to be a serious contender for the “best of the rest” status. Seventh in the championship after seven races with 48 points, the young Brit is simply remarkable in terms of consistency. Without Bahrain and Miami – where he retired after a contact with Gasly for which he is not at all responsible – Norris has consistently scored points.
Performances that contrast with those of his teammate Daniel Ricciardo, who is eleventh in the standings with eleven points, nearly five times fewer points than Lando Norris. The struggles of the Australian are glaring, and his very average season last year, which was considered a “transitional” season, continues into 2022. On the other hand, Norris has also admitted not feeling completely comfortable with the car after the Monaco Grand Prix, even though his results are respectable.
“I am very happy with what I am doing right now,” says the Bristol native. “It’s not just a new car and it’s not only for Daniel. It’s not just for others. It’s the same for everyone. There are many things that I had to adapt to this year. I feel like I’m getting there now, I feel like I can unlock a bit more pace in qualifying and in last weekend’s race.”
Norris indicates that he continues to learn because there have only been seven small races with these new cars. « It takes time for everyone to understand all these things. And I have the feeling that now, at this point in the season, seven races, I am finally starting to understand these things. […] I understand things better. So, it’s still a learning process for me. It’s not because I’ve been with McLaren that I know everything and how everything works perfectly. On the contrary. »
« It was a new car for me, new tires, new adjustments, everything is new. So in a way it’s still a fresh start for me and a new team, and I have to reassess how I drive the car.
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This ongoing adaptation doesn’t seem to slow down Lando Norris. Consistent and high-performing, the young British driver seems to be well positioned to compete for the title of “best of the rest,” behind Ferrari, Red Bull, and Mercedes drivers.
