Lando Norris revealed that McLaren has discovered some answers to his struggles with the team’s 2025 Formula 1 car, but he isn’t anticipating an instant turnaround.
Norris has been candid ever since the second weekend in China that McLaren’s MCL39 machine has been incompatible with his innate desire to attack corner entries.
That was exposed last time out in Bahrain as Norris, who qualified in sixth, experienced an error-ridden run to third place, 16 seconds behind team-mate Oscar Piastri.
The Briton admitted post-race that his connection with the car couldn’t be “more opposite” to the feeling that he had with the team’s title-winning MCL38 predecessor.
But while he divulged that McLaren has begun to uncover explanations to his troubles, Norris is aware his issues will continue to persist this weekend in Saudi Arabia.
“A lot of me has been trying to figure out the issues, the struggles, and the reasoning behind it, which is the most difficult thing,” Norris said.
“We have started to figure out some things where I struggle, why I struggle and the reasons for these struggles and trying to implement things for this weekend.
“I’m trying to improve in those areas, so it is not like I want to come into this weekend and I’m full of confidence and know that things are going to turn around.
“There are still things I’m going to be struggling with because there are certain things that you cannot change.
“But there are things I’m able to, from a driving style point of view. It is stuff I’ve never had to think of before, it is just not my normal way of driving or thinking.”
Norris had ‘reset’ post-Bahrain
Norris has garnered a reputation as being excessively self-critical, and that was visible again last weekend as he admitted that he was “clueless” about his difficulties.
However, Norris, who harbours a three-point lead over Piastri, disclosed that he has since recognised that his start to the campaign has been greater than he credited.
“I needed a couple of days off and needed a reset, I probably would have liked a few more days off, but I made the most of them,” he said.
“I think with every athlete, as much as you try to get away, you’re still thinking about a lot of things, and for a lot of the time, I was still thinking about the difficulties that I’ve been struggling with.
“I’ve tried to force myself to think of what a success the start of the season has been, yes, I know it could have been better.
“I have to get reminded that I’m leading the championship, won the first race and been on the podium every race, so I have to be reminded of them rather than being able to remind myself.
“I want to achieve my potential, and at the moment, I am not achieving my potential, and there is no reason for me to be happy with that.
“I know I am hard on myself, but for 95 per cent of it, that is a good thing, and it is what makes me who I am, and makes me have a chance in Formula 1 and to be with McLaren and fighting for a World Championship.
“But I accept there have been times when I say too many negatives and it gets into my own head, and I don’t think of the positives as much as I should.
“If I told myself I’d be leading the championship after four races, I’d be very happy, but probably don’t remind myself enough, and that’s the main area I need to improve.”
READ MORE – Lando Norris admits feeling with McLaren 2025 F1 car couldn’t be ‘more opposite’ to 2024
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