Lando Norris says McLaren has been able to bring “fresh eyes” to Mercedes and has already helped make improvements ahead of the 2021 Formula 1 season.
McLaren has reunited with Mercedes for the first time since 2014, following a three-year spell with Honda, and three-year stint powered by Renault.
Mercedes’ existing customers, Williams and Aston Martin, have been powered by the manufacturer throughout the hybrid era.
Mercedes most recently supplied three other Formula 1 teams in 2016, when it also provided power units to Manor, prior to the collapse of the minnow operation.
Norris outlined that pre-season testing was a “smooth operation” with Mercedes and reckons the partnership has a strong platform upon which to build.
“I think we’re happy with how things have gone,” said Norris. “The bit for me is understand all the new switches and ways of working that they have – that’s one of the biggest things to get used to – and on the whole it’s that little step forward in a lot of areas.
“But there are some areas that still need some work, and we’ve been working very closely with them because the other teams which are Mercedes-powered have been with Mercedes for a while.
“There’s just that constant everyone kind of gets used to things, and we’ve come in from Renault with fresh eyes, different perspective, different feelings, and I think we’ve really been able to add and improve in some areas.”
“It’s very productive between us and the Merc guys – HPP – and I think we can be happy with the improvements we’ve made [during testing].
“There’s still things to work on, again not just with the car but with the PU and so on, but it is at the moment looking good and we’re happy with how things have gone.”
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