Lando Norris has admitted he is on the back foot ahead of this weekend’s Formula 1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix after both McLaren drivers suffered issues in free practice.
The Brit began his Friday in Baku with a positive bent, taking top spot in FP1, three tenths ahead of team-mate and fellow title protagonist, Oscar Piastri.
But the second session went horribly wrong for Norris, who clouted the wall on the exit of Turn 4, damaging his rear suspension and ending his day early.
Things did not run much better for Piastri, who brushed the wall later in the hour, having also suffered other problems during the day.
The Australian, who leads the title by 31 points from Norris, suffered some power unit issues which cost him track time in FP1, as well as his own brush with the barriers in FP2.
He escaped with minimal damage, however, with mechanics needing to begin a repair job on Norris’ car, who admitted that the crash could prove to be costly.
“A costly one, especially, I mean, I was feeling good until then, so yeah, I’d rather have this and push and find the limits than not push at all,” he told Sky Sports F1.
“So yeah, annoying, but I would have liked to get some high fuel laps in, especially on these tyres, the softer compound compared to last year, but it is what it is and I’d love to make up for it.”
Norris’ desire to complete more laps to experiment with tyres comes with the newer C6 compound being available for this year’s race.
“I mean, the tracks are very different to last year, it’s quite a bit quicker and it’s a softer compound, which we don’t use that often, you know, we use it Monaco, Imola, I think that’s it,” he explained.
Norris confessed that it was a “scrappy” day for both him and Piastri, acknowledging the papaya squad might be needing to find its feet more ahead of qualifying on Saturday.
“So, I mean, certainly I’m behind on the learnings now, but a scrappy session, I guess, from both, from my side and I think from Oscar’s side,” he said.
“He seemed to be struggling a little bit with the car as well, so we’ll see what we can make up for tomorrow.”
Norris predicts McLaren will face stern challenge in Azerbaijan GP
Ferrari dominated FP2, with Lewis Hamilton going quickest ahead of team-mate Charles Leclerc in second.
Norris is convinced the Scuderia will have the pace to challenge for victory on Sunday, particularly given the formbook suggests a similar outcome.
“Certainly, yeah [Ferrari will be competitive]. I mean, they were easily the quickest here last year, even though Oscar won,” Norris said.
“I think Ferrari will be quick, Red Bull are going to be quick. They”re never good on Friday, but then they, I don’t know, they go to sleep and they wake up and then they’re just quick again!
“So, no, I expected a challenge from at least three other cars tomorrow.”
With McLaren’s apparent problems and Norris’ points deficit, it appears that there will be a significant push required to ensure the team wraps up the Constructors’ Championship this weekend.
“I mean, I have to push, right?” Norris admitted. “It’s tough, tough. I’m against some good guys and I’ve got to push and find the limits.”
Piastri also admitted the team has work to do to come out on top, concluding it was a “tricky” day for the team, agreeing tyre experiments will be needed.
“I’m sure we’ll look back and see what we can change for tomorrow, but I think it’s going to be a bit different with tyre choices and stuff like that.
“So I think there’s still a lot of positives from today, just a few tricky moments.”
READ MORE – Lewis Hamilton tops FP2 as McLaren pair stumble
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