McLaren concluded the 2023 F1 season with the second fastest car, behind Red Bull. However, their performance at the beginning of the 2024 season has been satisfactory, but not particularly impressive.
After implementing a significant upgrade during the season, McLaren managed to overcome a challenging start in 2023. By the end of the season, they even found themselves competing for podiums and pole positions. Unfortunately, in 2024, they are currently battling with Mercedes for the title of the third best team after just two races.
Following the conclusion of the 2024 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, Norris expressed his dissatisfaction with the progress made by the MCL38 team. In an interview with Sky Sports F1, he acknowledged that while some positive steps had been taken in various areas, they did not fully meet his expectations and desires for the McLaren car.
Norris stated: «We have made some notable advances in certain aspects, like pure development steps that all teams go through. However, in terms of the distinctive characteristics that define McLaren as a team, we have not achieved as much as I had hoped during the winter.»
He emphasized that the team is aware of these shortcomings and is actively working to improve. Although they arrived at the Bahrain test with several strategies and solutions to address these weaknesses, they have not yet identified a definitive path forward.
Norris added: «We still have a lot of work ahead to address these areas. Improving these aspects will not only bring me greater satisfaction as a driver, but will also allow me to extract more performance from the car, improve consistency, and ultimately enhance the overall speed of the vehicle.»
A pesar de admitir estar insatisfecho con la situación actual, Norris expresó satisfacción con el progreso realizado por el equipo durante el período de invierno.
A medida que la temporada de F1 avanza hacia la tercera carrera en Melbourne, todos los equipos introducirán más actualizaciones en sus autos. McLaren no es la excepción, aunque Norris reveló que estas actualizaciones no serán grandes.
Explicó: «Algunas de estas actualizaciones son ajustes menores que pueden resultar solo en una diferencia de unos pocos centésimos de segundo aquí y allá. Sin embargo, cuando acumulas tres o cuatro de estos ajustes, pueden potencialmente sumar un décimo de segundo, lo que representa una mejora significativa.»
Norris enfatizó que estas actualizaciones son práctica estándar para todos los equipos y no apuntan específicamente a sus principales debilidades como equipo en este momento. En cambio, contribuyen al desarrollo general del auto y ayudan a mejorar su rendimiento.
En las dos primeras carreras de la temporada, Norris logró el sexto y octavo lugar en Bahréin y Arabia Saudita, respectivamente. Actualmente, tiene 12 puntos y ocupa la octava posición en el Campeonato de Pilotos de F1.
