Like many teams on the grid, McLaren is anticipated to introduce substantial car upgrades at this weekend`s Emilia Romagna Grand Prix in Imola.
As the first European race of the season, it`s typically when teams unveil major new components after having ample development time, and logistics are simpler due to proximity to their bases.
This is because, compared to his teammate Oscar Piastri, whom he currently trails by 16 points in the drivers` standings, Norris has faced challenges with his McLaren`s handling, especially during single-lap qualifying efforts.
McLaren team principal Andrea Stella has stated his hope that the upcoming upgrades will make the MCL39 car more manageable for Norris.
When asked about the potential impact earlier this month at the Miami Grand Prix, Norris commented: “I certainly think it will help.”
“Honestly, I don`t know the exact timeline for everything. There`s a mix of parts that will be introduced gradually over time.”
“However, I also don`t want to solely rely on that. There are aspects I`m working on individually, which I hope will be a more effective solution than simply waiting for new parts. But it`s positive that we`re collaborating as a team to figure these things out.”
Norris significantly outperformed Piastri last season, but the Australian has shown strong form recently and currently leads his teammate in the drivers` standings.
Norris further commented: “It`s clear there are differences from last year in how the car behaves, how it reacts, and how I can extract lap time and performance from it.”
“So, it`s a combination of factors. I need to be a bit patient with certain things – some issues are more significant than others – but it requires time. Therefore, I`m just keeping my focus and pushing myself.”
Does the MCL39 Suit Piastri or Has He Just Adapted Better?
While McLaren has shown strong pace, particularly in races, both drivers have occasionally struggled in qualifying to extract performance, with the MCL39 proving challenging to handle on low fuel.
Compared to last year, when he had a clear advantage over Piastri in qualifying, Norris has faced more difficulties, with errors in consecutive races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia resulting in grid positions of sixth and tenth, respectively.
When asked if this year`s car better suits Piastri`s driving style compared to his own, Norris responded: “That`s very hard to say. I believe there are just specific characteristics that prevent me from getting the feeling I need, which is crucial for me to drive at my peak level – to secure pole positions and perform at the highest standard in races.”
“We`re discussing minor points. It`s not that the car is suddenly impossible to drive. It`s simply about qualifying gaps measured in hundredths or thousandths of a second; those small margins are what I`m referring to, nothing more.”
“It`s probably not a question I can give a simple yes or no answer to. Perhaps he [Piastri] is more naturally adaptable. And while I also believe a driver`s role is to adapt to the car they`re given, there are trade-offs, and the team is there to help you maximise the car`s potential.”
“However, it`s clear some changes have occurred, and whether that simply suits Oscar or his method better, or if he`s just doing a superior job of adapting, that`s not something for me to speculate on, try to figure out, or waste my time dwelling on.”
“It has also affected me slightly more, and I haven`t been able to perform at the level I achieved at the end of last season, which I believe was my personal best.”
Marcus Prine