Lando Norris, the British driver for McLaren, is considering a different approach to maximize the potential of the team’s Formula 1 cars during qualifying sessions. In the highly competitive 2024 season, where the top five Constructors are separated by small margins, securing a good grid position has become crucial for the drivers’ chances in the race. Norris openly criticized his performance in the previous season, admitting that he missed several opportunities to secure pole positions and even described his work as below expectations. He attributes his difficulties to the current ground effect cars and rule changes that have made it difficult for him to attack in the same way he did with the previous specification cars. He has expressed his desire to push harder in qualifying, but acknowledged that he needs to adopt a contrasting approach due to the characteristics of the tires and the car. Norris recognizes that he needs to adapt quickly and improve his performance, but also acknowledges that the McLaren car presents its own challenges, making it difficult to consistently achieve a perfect qualifying lap. The team is actively working to address these issues.
Norris discussed the lack of feeling in the McLaren steering wheel coinciding with the rule change and is still trying to understand the most effective way to adjust his approach on the track.
“If you ask me now, ‘how do I navigate a slow corner,’ I have no idea,” he continued. “One day it’s like this; the next day it’s like that. I struggle with the confidence of knowing exactly how to improve in every situation.
“When everything clicks, it clicks, and I can have a good qualifying session. But yeah, I’ve lost a bit of that feeling in recent years of going out in qualifying and attacking and making the laps I want to make.
“It’s hard to hold back from pushing and being aggressive when you’re competitive and want to do a better lap.”
Last season, McLaren team boss Andrea Stella advised Norris to drive at 99% during qualifying; but Norris believes his difficulties are not just related to his approach.
“It’s like I can’t even drive at 100%,” he added. “Driving at 100% only works one lap out of 10.
“So, when you want to go to Q3 and do your best lap, it may be that one lap you have to suddenly drive at 98%. It’s just a complex and difficult thing to be on the limit.
“Depending on a small change in wind speed, or the tires being a little warmer or colder, it changes how much you can push in each corner. So, you have to take these things into consideration.
“Like, okay, the wind has changed a bit, it means I have to brake a meter earlier and you have to do that. And it’s not an easy thing to be constantly aware of.
“It’s something I’m working on, something I’ve improved a bit in the last few weeks. The last weekend [in Australia] was a bit more indicative, the first indication that when everything falls into place, this is what we can achieve.”
Although work in the simulator can help solve the problems, Norris admits it can be challenging without replicating the emotional aspect of a real qualifying session.
“It’s difficult, because it doesn’t always correlate perfectly,” Norris said about the work that can be done in the simulator in Woking.
“There are certain techniques and skills of trying to drive in a relaxed way. Those are the things you can practice in the simulator.
“But recreating exactly the emotion of when you’re in the car and going for a qualifying lap, it’s not easy to replicate something like that in a simulator.”
“It’s a bit of trial and error, just trying to make it a normal part of the process. The thing is, when I drive, I drive so instinctively that the less I think about driving, the better I drive.
“If I just go out and watch the grandstands, that’s when I usually do better. But naturally, I just go out and push.
“So when you have to try to change your subconscious and try to relax, it’s not an easy thing to change. That’s something that develops over the years. And it’s not easy to go back.
“It just slipped away from me probably in the last few years and a bit: the previous regulations made it easier to drive and find the limit.
“Every day is a new day, there are always new challenges and new problems. But that’s part of it; it’s the same for everyone. I just think sometimes it’s been tough with our car.
“But my responsibility as a driver is to do the best I can by adapting to it as well.”
© 2024
A new era for motorsport is about to begin. With the arrival of the new Formula 1 car in 2024, fans can expect even fiercer competition on the tracks. The new car promises to be faster, safer, and more exciting than ever before.
One of the key changes in the new car is the increase in power. With a more powerful engine and enhanced aerodynamics, drivers will have the opportunity to reach even higher speeds on the straights. This means that overtaking will be more frequent and thrilling.
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With all these changes, the 2024 Formula 1 season promises to be one of the most exciting of all time. Fans can’t wait to see the new cars in action and witness the epic battles that are to come. It will be a true spectacle of speed and skill.
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