Lando Norris and the McLaren team obtained valuable information during the pre-season tests. However, the team based in Woking may struggle to keep up with Max Verstappen and Red Bull this year.
Lando Norris and McLaren experienced a remarkable turnaround in the latter part of the 2023 season. The Woking-based team recovered from a disastrous start to the year and achieved multiple podium finishes. Expectations were high for the team in the 2024 Formula 1 season. Now, Norris has made a significant admission about his team’s chances against the current world champion.
The 24-year-old driver stated that McLaren made progress with the MCL38 after the conclusion of the pre-season tests. However, understanding the team’s true position in the hierarchy was challenging for Lando Norris. Nevertheless, the British driver believed that Woking was on the right track during the winter, preparing for their 2024 car.
However, Lando Norris acknowledged that the British team is still far behind Max Verstappen and Red Bull. Verstappen made impressive laps in Bahrain. The three-time world champion even claimed that the RB-20 was behaving exactly as he desired. Norris emphasized that the Woking team will struggle to match even Ferrari in the early stages of the season, despite learning valuable lessons for the opening race weekend.
Despite the challenges faced by Norris during the pre-season tests, the 24-year-old driver expressed confidence that McLaren will overcome these setbacks. The British driver firmly believed that it was not the end of the world for the Woking-based team. However, Lando Norris admitted that ideally, the team would have preferred a flawless performance in Bahrain.
Nevertheless, Lando Norris and McLaren aim to compete at the front of the grid this season. The Woking team now has a state-of-the-art wind tunnel in operation, allowing for more efficient and effective car development. This could have a significant impact on McLaren’s position in the hierarchy this season.
Undoubtedly, Lando Norris may not challenge Max Verstappen for race wins, at least initially in the season. Rivals are concerned about Verstappen’s pace, including , who confidently predicted that the Dutchman will comfortably win the 2024 championship. However, Norris and McLaren hope to take advantage of updates throughout the season to potentially match the performance of the Milton Keynes team.
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