McLaren drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri have denied that their approach to Formula 1 race weekends has changed since being given a car that can win races.
The Woking-based squad completed a remarkable turnaround last term to rise from sporadic Q1 eliminations to emerging as Red Bull’s closest challenger at the end.
McLaren has maintained that progression with an update package in Miami helping inspire Norris to claim his maiden win and he ran Max Verstappen close at Imola.
Meanwhile, McLaren boss Andrea Stella admitted Monaco proved low-speed cornering is no longer a “clear weakness” as the side’s upgrades exceeded expectations.
Piastri split the Ferrari drivers to claim second place in Monte Carlo and the Australian has claimed that McLaren can now anticipate being competitive on each track.
But when asked whether entering race weekends knowing he has a car that has a chance to win, Norris responded: “Yeah for me I just go out and do the same thing.
“Qualifying is the same, you go out and just try and I mean even when you’re in the tenth best car or whatever you go out and you always have that hope for just trying to deliver the best lap you can. That’s my job, is just coming out and driving as quickly as I can. So whether that’s for first, tenth or twentieth, it’s the same approach that I have.
“So for me it doesn’t change. I definitely think it puts a little bit more pressure on everyone, just because one small mistake can be that bit more costly.
“So we definitely can see it from that perspective, but I’m still relaxed. I’m still excited just to go and have another crack at it and see what we can deliver.
“But the approach has not changed. It’s more exciting. I look forward to it more because I know I have a better chance of being on the podium or maybe winning a race.
“It makes me more excited and a bit more hungry for it. The approach of just going out and driving really doesn’t change for me or for my team around me and the people that I work with.
“It’s just going to be more costly if it doesn’t go right. So yeah, actually, just kind of do as normal because, normal is very good.”
Piastri was unfortunate to miss out on a potential podium at Imola when a three-place grid drop for impeding Kevin Magnussen prevented him from starting second.
However, the ex-Alpine prospect rebounded with an impressive outing in Monaco to lead McLaren’s charge and secure his third career podium and his first this term.
Like his team-mate, though, Piastri has established that his attitude each round has not altered depending on how competitive the package he has at his disposal is.
“It’s exciting. I think in terms of the approach it honestly doesn’t change that much,” Piastri concurred.
“Whether you’re fighting for 15th, for 10th or for 1st, you’re trying to get the most out of the car you’ve got.
“It’s just a little bit more fun when you know that if you get everything right you can win.
“So it’s not changed the world from that side of things, it’s just obviously a bit of a boost when you’re fighting for wins and for podiums.”
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