Lando Norris more relaxed as he prepares for sophomore season

McLaren’s Lando Norris says he is “not so nervous” ahead of his second season as a race driver in Formula 1, and can approach the 2020 campaign in a more relaxed frame of mind.

Norris became the third-youngest driver in Formula 1 history when he stepped up to a race seat with McLaren in 2019.

Norris conceded to feeling nervous early in his rookie season, before going on to classify 11th in the standings, amassing 49 points.

“I’m itching to get back in the car, especially this year,” said Norris in an interview produced by McLaren.

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“I was last year, but I was a lot more nervous at this point in 2019 with all the new things I had to contend with: rules, information, strategies, ways of working, everything really.

“Whereas now, I know a lot of this stuff. I feel more relaxed and not so nervous.

“Instead of wondering whether I’m ready for the first race, this time I know I am and that’s why I’m so excited.”

Norris is also hopeful that the MCL35, which will be launched on February 13, will be more suited to him and team-mate Carlos Sainz Jr., in the wake of their input through 2019.

“This is the first year that I’ve had a lot of input in the car,” he said.

“The MCL34 was designed in 2018, and although I drove in a few sessions that year, I didn’t have much direct input into it.

“But, for 2020, a lot of the MCL35 has been influenced by what Carlos and I have asked for.”