Lando Norris is certain McLaren languishes a “long way off” the pace compared to its Formula 1 rivals based on the initial practice times at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
McLaren has been regarded as the benchmark side since the season resumed at Zandvoort last month as Norris has taken successive pole positions and a race win.
However, the Woking-based squad sustained a subdued time as the track action commenced in Baku, with Norris residing down in 17th place as FP2 came to an end.
But while the Briton’s low position was down to not completing his Soft compound run, McLaren team-mate Oscar Piastri was five-tenths behind the benchmark time.
McLaren showcased at Monza last time out that it tends to hide more pace in reserve relative to the opposition through practice to unleash the speed when it counts.
Norris, though, doesn’t suspect that to be the case this time around, citing that McLaren’s limitations have been obliging him to push the MCL38 to its limits this soon.
“We’re quite a long way off,” Norris lamented. “I’m having to push way too much to try and get a lap time out of it, clearly.
“I think where Oscar was is kind of more where we are. If we nail it, we’re just about there, but I’m sure the [competitors] are not even close to nailing it yet.
“We have quite a lot to find, honestly, compared to Mercedes, Ferrari and Red Bull.
“They’re all similar, and then there’s a good three, four-tenths gap back to us. So, a lot of work for us to do.”
Asked whether he was surprised with McLaren’s struggles given its blistering recent pace, Norris retorted: “There have been plenty of circuits we’ve not been quick.
“People just love to believe that we’re the best everywhere, but we’re not.
“We’ve been doing a very good job so far, a better job than other teams, but we’ve always known the Ferraris are very quick here.
“With this kind of track conditions, Mercedes is going to be very quick.
“The car’s still not bad. I’m sure we can still get a lap time out of it, but we’re not as clearly ahead as we have been on the races.”
Norris has contended that the prevalent low-grip track conditions – which saw numerous drivers run wide or crash – are more punishing to McLaren’s car than its rivals.
“It’s just very slidey out there, you know? We perform well at the higher grip circuits and the track is way off, not even close to where we were last year.
“So we’re just finding it difficult at the minute, but we’ll work hard tonight.”
