Lando Norris, British driver from McLaren, believes that the high-strength nature of the Monaco circuit will help alleviate the team’s weakness in slow corners. Norris stated that this advantage is not as unlikely as in other circuits. While the McLaren car excels in high-speed corners, slower corners have proven to be their Achilles’ heel. Norris acknowledged this weakness, specifically mentioning Turn 7, the chicane at Imola, as one of the worst corners for them. However, because Monaco requires a setup focused solely on slow corners, this may benefit McLaren to maintain a balanced approach. Norris expressed optimism for the weekend, noting that McLaren has improved since their performance last year and has advanced in their low-speed capabilities.
In recent weeks, McLaren has emerged as a legitimate competitor to Red Bull, rather than just challenging the best of the rest. Norris secured a second place in China, clinched his long-awaited first victory in Miami, and closely competed with Max Verstappen in Imola. Qualifying sessions have been closely contested between Red Bull and McLaren in the last few Grand Prix races, with Ferrari also proving to be a strong contender at the front.
Verstappen and Norris were separated by less than a tenth of a second in Emilia Romagna, and with qualifying being crucial in Monaco, the McLaren driver is optimistic that the team can do well. Norris sees the Monaco race as one that every driver wants to experience at some point. However, despite being more competitive against Ferrari and Red Bull, Norris remains cautious about the possibility of surprises in Monaco. The nature of the track makes it easy for things to go either way. It is uncertain whether the race will favor McLaren or if other teams will have a tough weekend. Norris believes that everything is still up for grabs and that all teams have the chance to shine in Monaco. Even a small mistake in qualifying can result in a significant loss, so the team is focused on doing their best and maintaining their strong performance.
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