McLaren driver Lando Norris.
Lando Norris says McLaren’s Friday at Monaco “wasn’t bad”, but believes there’s one team to beat this weekend in Monte Carlo.
After the upgrades introduced in Miami, McLaren has had two remarkable weekends where the MCL38 proved to be the fastest car. However, Lando Norris feels that his car falls slightly short when compared to Ferrari.
Lando Norris: A reasonable first day
In honor of the late Ayrton Senna, who achieved five victories in the iconic McLaren colors at the Monaco race, the team proudly displays a fresh livery on the MCL38 for the upcoming weekend.
However, despite the new livery, McLaren was unable to compete at the forefront of the pack on Friday. Norris managed to finish the day as the faster driver between himself and Oscar Piastri, but his best lap only secured him fifth place, nearly seven-tenths of a second behind Charles Leclerc’s leading time.
After clinching his first Formula 1 victory in Miami three weeks ago, the British driver took a moment to ponder on his Friday performance at the conclusion of the track activities. He specifically identified worries about Ferrari’s speed.
Norris stated that although our appearance is impressive, it is not in terms of speed.
In my opinion, we’re actually quite good. The situation here is always challenging. Firstly, it feels great to be back and navigating this track, with its usual chaos and typical atmosphere. However, our performance today is decent, although it falls a bit short compared to Charles and the Ferrari.
“The Mercedes might be a strong contender too, as they have displayed impressive speed. Due to the track’s small and unusual nature, it seems like everyone is performing at a similar level. However, we still need to make some improvements to catch up. Tomorrow will be challenging, but we are determined to compete and that’s what matters most.”
Norris shares the same sentiment as the Red Bull drivers, Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez, who believe the red cars are significantly better. However, Norris is more hopeful than the drivers from Milton Keynes about the chance of catching up.
When asked about what he can address on his car overnight before third practice, he replied, “There are a few different things, but the main focus should be on improving low-speed grip.”
Attempting to achieve a proper balance is crucial in order to improve performance and ensure a smooth ride. However, finding the right balance can be challenging as there is a trade-off involved. If too much focus is placed on enhancing ride comfort, overall performance may suffer, and vice versa.
“It’s a complex situation, and today we made several attempts. Hopefully, by tonight we can comprehend it and make enhancements for tomorrow.”
More on the latest Monaco Grand Prix F1 news
Charles Leclerc reacts to fast start in quest to ‘finally get that win’ in Monaco GP
Max Verstappen: Red Bull stuck in setup trouble as Ferrari pace admission made
Oscar Piastri: McLaren could be first or 10th!
Despite finishing third at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix and securing a double McLaren podium, the Australian driver was only a fraction behind Leclerc’s speed, approximately 1.1 seconds. However, he expressed optimism about the upcoming weekend, despite the strong competition from rival teams.
He stated that Ferrari appears fast, Red Bull appears impressive, and Mercedes has displayed significant improvement throughout the weekend, thus far.
“It’s quite competitive upfront, but all in all, I believe it has been a productive day.”
Piastri laughed when asked to predict his destination during the decisive moments of qualifying.
He stated, “To be honest, we have the potential to be either the first or the eighth.”
You never know, it could be first or it could be 10th – Aston Martin and Fernando Alonso both looked pretty decent.
Today has been extremely competitive for everyone. Therefore, tomorrow, everyone will make an effort to fine-tune their cars and give it their best shot.
“I am thrilled about the upcoming event as it heavily relies on the skills and decisions of the drivers. With numerous speedy cars present, the one who masters the lap is likely to emerge victorious.”
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