In a candid reflection on McLaren’s performance during Friday’s practice sessions for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Lando Norris expressed significant concerns about the team’s competitiveness. After a promising start, Norris’s optimism was tempered by disappointing results in the subsequent practice session.
Struggles in Practice Sessions
Norris initially showed strong potential, securing the fourth-fastest time in the first practice session (FP1). However, his performance took a downturn in the second session (FP2), where he fell to 17th position. The dip was largely attributed to a compromised flying lap, hampered by traffic and worn-out soft tires. Despite these challenges, Norris couldn’t ignore the larger issue at play: McLaren’s evident struggle to keep pace with their rivals.
“We’re quite a long way off,” Norris admitted in an interview with the official F1 TV channel. “I’m having to push way too much to try and get a lap time out of it, clearly.” His statement underscored the broader issue McLaren faces as they grapple with maintaining their competitive edge.
Oscar Piastri’s Strong Performance
In contrast, Norris’s teammate, Oscar Piastri, delivered a more optimistic outlook. Piastri managed to secure sixth place in FP1 and improved to fifth in FP2, showing impressive consistency. His performance was encouraging and suggested that McLaren’s car, despite its issues, had potential. “I think where Oscar was is kind of more where we are,” Norris reflected. “If we nail it, we’re just about there, but I’m sure the [other teams] are not even close to nailing it yet.”
Comparative Performance and Future Prospects
Norris was quick to highlight the performance gap between McLaren and the leading teams. “Honestly, we have quite a lot to find compared to Mercedes, Ferrari, and Red Bull,” he said. “They’re all very similar, and then there’s a good three or four-tenths gap back to us. So a lot of work for us to do.”
McLaren’s MCL38 had previously been celebrated for its competitive edge, making the team’s current struggles a surprising development. Norris acknowledged the unpredictable nature of various circuits, noting that Ferrari has historically performed well in Baku. “We’ve been doing a very good job so far, a better job than other teams, but we’ve always known the Ferraris are very quick here,” he stated.
Challenges and Adjustments
