McLaren concluded the 2023 F1 season as the second-best team, behind Red Bull. They made significant progress after a mid-season upgrade, and it is expected that they will continue their momentum in 2024.
Despite a decent pre-season test, McLaren’s position in the standings raised some doubts. There were concerns about their speed and whether they improved as much as Ferrari and Mercedes, or if they were intentionally holding back.
During a media session in Bahrain, Norris expressed uncertainty about McLaren’s chances this weekend. He acknowledged that determining McLaren’s position within the standings is challenging.
When asked about McLaren’s position before the race in Bahrain, Norris replied, “That’s a good question! It’s something everyone is wondering. We have a rough idea, but we’re not sure how we compare to other teams.”
He continued, “The top two teams are clear, and then there’s a group consisting of Mercedes, Aston Martin, and us. The pre-season test was much better than last year, and we’re in a stronger position now, which is the most important thing.”
Norris avoided giving a direct answer and chose to be vague when pressed for further explanation. He said, “It’s an honest answer regarding our position. Until we get to Friday and the qualifying sessions, it’s difficult to predict where we’ll be compared to other teams. It seems like we’re very close to several teams.”
He admitted, “There are high expectations for us as a team due to our significant progress last year. In some races, we were closer to Red Bull, but in others, we were well behind Mercedes and Ferrari, and even struggling with teams further back. Our performance has been inconsistent.”
Norris emphasized that Bahrain has historically been a challenging circuit for McLaren. He stated, “We’ve never had one of our best races in Bahrain, so it’s premature to judge and assume that we won’t perform well here. It’s not the end of the season for us.”
But Norris hinted that McLaren may not have made the desired progress during the winter. He stated that it would take a few races to accurately assess where everyone stands, rather than judging solely based on performance in Bahrain. Norris acknowledged that while the car has become faster, there are still certain issues that have hindered their progress. These issues may particularly affect their performance in Bahrain due to the nature of the circuit.
Despite the challenges in Bahrain, Norris remains optimistic about McLaren’s prospects as the season unfolds. He expressed confidence in their ability to perform well at circuits where they were strong the previous year, such as Suzuka. Norris believes that McLaren can still be one of the leading cars. He acknowledged that Bahrain historically hasn’t suited their car, so they may face difficulties there. However, Norris is confident that they can overcome these challenges in the future.
In 2023, Norris achieved seven podiums and scored 205 points, securing sixth place in the Drivers’ Championship. This success came after McLaren made improvements to their car.
© 2024
The latest sports news – 2024
The world of sports is full of excitement and action. Here are the latest news about what’s happening in the world of sports:
Soccer:
– The city’s soccer team won the local championship with a crushing 4-0 victory. Fans are ecstatic about the team’s performance.
– The national team’s star player scored a hat-trick in the match against the rival. His exceptional skill is getting fans excited for the upcoming games.
Basketball:
– The city’s basketball team is on an impressive winning streak. They are leading the league and are considered favorites for the championship.
– The youngest player on the basketball team scored 30 points in a single game. His meteoric rise is catching the attention of professional scouts.
Tennis:
– The world’s number one tennis player won another major tournament. Her dominance in the sport is undeniable.
– A new talent has emerged in the world of tennis. The rookie player surprised everyone by defeating one of the top-ranked players in the world.
These are just some of the exciting stories happening in the world of sports. Stay tuned for more updates and comprehensive coverage of all sporting events.
