Lando Norris has spoken candidly about his struggles with the current McLaren Formula 1 car. Following the Bahrain Grand Prix weekend, he admitted that he feels he is not driving to his full capabilities due to discomfort with the vehicle.
Despite finishing third in the Bahrain race, starting from sixth on the grid, Norris believes he should have achieved more. His teammate, Oscar Piastri, secured a dominant victory, further highlighting the potential of the McLaren car. Norris confessed that his own target for the race was second place, a position he narrowly missed.
Qualifying mistakes placed Norris five positions behind Piastri, adding to his challenges. During the 57-lap race, several incidents further hampered his pursuit of a higher finish.
Norris incurred a five-second penalty for an incorrect start position and then faced difficulties overtaking competitors in close racing situations.
He had to overtake Lewis Hamilton twice after a safety car period, with the first attempt deemed illegal for going off-track. He also spent considerable time trying to pass Charles Leclerc`s Ferrari.
Ultimately, after reaching third place, Norris was unable to overtake George Russell`s Mercedes in the closing stages of the race.
“I made costly errors,” Norris told media. “Otherwise, I believe our pace was quite strong.”
He described the race as “difficult” and acknowledged that even with an extra lap, catching Russell was uncertain. “The positive is points gained. The negative is not reaching our potential,” he summarized.
Norris: “Not Driving at My True Level”
Entering the season as a pre-season favorite, especially after winning the Australian Grand Prix, Norris has since been out-performed in the subsequent races. Piastri has won two of the following three races, and Max Verstappen claimed the other. It`s becoming apparent that Norris is struggling to maximize the performance of the McLaren MCL39 car.
“I`m honestly surprised by my results given how uncomfortable I feel in the car,” Norris revealed.
“I`m not comfortable, not happy, and not feeling good. The results I`m achieving are still surprising considering this,” he added. “Something isn`t clicking, and I can`t pinpoint what.”
In the post-race press conference, Norris elaborated, “I can`t replicate the consistent laps I achieved last season. I had complete confidence in every corner and the car`s behavior. I felt in control.”
“This year is the opposite. Even in Australia, despite winning, I lacked confidence. The car`s overall strength masked many issues, but I`m not performing to my true potential, which is frustrating to admit.”
Self-Critical Norris Not Doubting Ability
Known for his self-criticism, Norris publicly criticized himself after qualifying in Bahrain for not matching Piastri`s pace. He described his performance as “clueless” and feeling like he had “never driven a Formula 1 car before.”
However, Norris clarified that while searching for solutions to his car struggles, he doesn`t doubt his driving skill. “I spent considerable time last night investigating and understanding my struggles,” he explained.
“I`m trying to identify the changes from last year. Is it me or the car? It`s complex. But I`m not doubting myself, though it might seem that way. Something isn`t gelling, preventing me from feeling comfortable in the car.”
He affirmed, “I`m confident in my capabilities. But lack of car confidence makes it hard to find limits in corners, impacting speed, especially against top drivers. Feeling unsettled is a significant issue right now.”
Norris concluded, “I don`t have immediate answers, and we have much work to do. Despite feeling off, my results are surprisingly good. I`ll remain focused and work hard.”
McLaren Praises Norris` Approach
McLaren team principal Andrea Stella offered insight into Norris`s handling of his car discomfort. Stella, experienced with champions like Schumacher and Alonso, noted, “Lando`s approach is similar to past champions in navigating this situation.”
Stella highlighted Norris`s unique openness and self-criticism, contrasting it with other drivers who might blame external factors. “Lando tends to take responsibility, which I admire and value. Like after Saturday`s qualifying, he took full blame, even though car changes contributed to his difficulties.”
Stella explained that while team adjustments might favor Piastri currently, they are working to resolve the issue. He emphasized the importance of a driver`s attitude, contrasting Norris`s self-accountability with drivers who immediately blame the team, which can hinder progress and create internal conflict.
“Judging a driver should include these aspects. For a team principal, these qualities are crucial for building a positive and productive environment, allowing focus on performance rather than internal disputes.”
