Lando Norris has firmly rejected any comparisons between McLaren and leading teams Mercedes and Ferrari after a challenging start to the season during the recent shakedown at the Circuit de Catalunya. McLaren’s limited track time and slower lap times highlighted the difficulties the team faces in catching up to their top rivals, intensifying concerns about their competitiveness this season.
In a strategic move aiming to enhance development, McLaren opted to limit their running during the three-day shakedown, completing just 291 laps. This was significantly fewer than Mercedes’s 500 and Ferrari’s 442 laps, reflecting the team’s cautious approach. The team’s delayed track time was designed to prioritize long-term improvements rather than immediate performance, but it also put them at a distinct disadvantage when compared to their rivals.
Throughout the test, Mercedes and Ferrari jockeyed for the fastest times, with Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton eventually recording the quickest lap at 1:16.348 on the final day, narrowly ahead of teammate George Russell. Norris set the third-best time at 1:16.594, which was 0.246 seconds behind Hamilton, underscoring the gap McLaren must close.
Norris Focuses on Growth and Learning Rather than Rivalry Results
Despite these sobering results, Norris stayed clear of engaging in direct competition with the leading teams. In an interview with F1TV, he stated,
Image of: Lando Norris
“I think it’s so easy to get caught up into comparisons,”
emphasizing that while competitiveness is natural, the focus should remain on progress rather than just lap times. He added,
“It’s just because we’re all competitive, so you always want to see yourself doing well and feel like you can be quick.”
Norris highlighted the valuable insights McLaren gained from the shakedown, pointing out,
“I think we understood a lot, both in low-fuel stuff and high-fuel stuff, and the tyres.”
Reliability Remains a Top Priority for McLaren’s Development
Norris underscored that increasing the MCL40’s reliability was a critical focus during the testing period. Ensuring all components, including sensors, power units, and gearboxes, performed flawlessly was essential. He noted,
“Reliability is one of the most important things,”
a factor that will shape McLaren’s efforts as they prepare for the upcoming season.
Adapting to the New Car and Returning to Racing
Adjusting to the updated McLaren car remains a key challenge for Norris, who described the process as one of the most significant in his career. Reflecting on his progress, he shared,
“From my side, just to get back comfortable with the car. Some little bits I need to change here and there, but otherwise, it still feels like a race car, still feels fast and still enjoyable.”
He explained that adapting takes time, saying,
“Figuring it out. It still takes time. We understand the outlines of it, how things are going to be working. So I’m happy. It’s just nice to be back in the car again. That feeling of G-force.”
Looking Ahead to Pre-Season Testing and the Challenges to Come
McLaren’s next major milestone is the official pre-season testing scheduled at the Sakhir International Circuit from February 11 to 13, followed by a second session from February 18 to 20. These tests will provide crucial data and opportunities to close the performance gap to Mercedes and Ferrari. The team’s progress during this period will be closely watched by analysts, fans, and McLaren’s own drivers, including Norris, as expectations build.
The upcoming season presents a critical chance for McLaren to reclaim their competitive edge. Norris’s determination and the team’s strategic focus on reliability and car understanding could prove vital in turning their early struggles into a stronger performance. The Formula 1 community awaits to see if Norris and McLaren can challenge the established leaders or whether the season will continue to highlight the significant hurdles the team must overcome.
