Lando Norris: “An MCL35 more influenced by our demands”

Youth's bet worked in 2019 to McLaren with a duo Carlos Sainz - Lando Norris author of a solid campaign, allowing the Woking team to finish 4th in the Constructors' championship.

Promises that just need to be confirmed this season, the last for McLaren with the block Renault, before swapping the French Power Unit for the V6 turbo / hybrid Mercedes at the time of the change in technical regulations.

For this, the Briton is counting on his increased contribution to the development of the MCL35. “The MCL34 was designed in 2018, and although I tested it that year, I didn't have much direct input into it, recalls Norris. But for 2020, much of MCL35 was influenced by what Carlos and I asked for »

Another advantage for the one who is presented as the next generation Lewis Hamilton, a full year of experience in the category, an essential element to better understand an entire season.

“I can't wait to get back in the car, especially this year, further confesses the former FIA champion F3 Europe I was last year, but I was a lot more nervous at this point in 2019 with all the new things I had to deal with: regulations, information, strategies, ways of working...

Whereas now I know a lot of things. I feel more relaxed and less nervous. Instead of wondering if I'm ready for the first race, this time I know I am and that's why I'm so excited.

La Formula 1 is such a complex sport. There are so many factors that affect performance, and although you can study them, you cannot properly understand them until you experience them.

For example, managing tires, knowing when to attack and when not to, and how to react to a rapidly changing strategy. You have to think about the total duration of a race and this gets easier with experience. »