McLaren “not in such bad shape” according to Norris

Faced with the doubts surrounding McLaren and its MCL60, Lando Norris defended his team by showing more optimism.

Published on 02/03/2023 à 17:16

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McLaren “not in such bad shape” according to Norris

Lando Norris wants to be reassuring about the performance of his MCL60. ©Xavi Bonilla / DPPI

Several questions surround McLaren as the first Grand Prix of the season approaches. The 2022 campaign was marked by a fierce struggle between papayas and Alpine for fourth place in the Manufacturers, finally snatched by the French. But the good dynamic which has until now animated the British garage seems to be running out of steam, after the sudden departure of Andreas Seidl for Alfa Romeo and the difficulties encountered during winter testing. Brake problems, car stuck in the garage, difficulty aligning lap times and completing the 15 turns of the Bahrain track, McLaren finished last in the ranking for the number of laps completed. But for this first press conference, Lando Norris is intended to be reassuring: “I don’t think we are in such a bad situation,” he defends. We may not be as strong as we would like to be, but we are not as bad as people think. »

To doubts about the effectiveness of the MCL60, Norris replied that “good things are in the pipeline”… while remaining realistic: “We will have to use them as best we can but… It's a long season, so I have Looking forward to seeing his last game. »

Nothing to dampen the driver's excitement at the idea of returning to the track in Bahrain tomorrow for free practice, and being able to measure himself against his competitors in qualifying and in the race: "I have no idea where we will be. I think we won't be at the front with the other teams, but I think we can fight for points, that's our goal this weekend. » A battle which promises to be close as it is difficult to discern a hierarchy on the board once the three leading teams are taken apart. If Red Bull seems "in its own league", as George Russell also analyzed at a press conference, second place could be a three-way affair with Ferrari, Mercedes, and Aston Martin. It will also be necessary to count on Alpine in the middle of the grid with two ultra-competitive drivers in the presence ofEsteban Ocon et Pierre Gasly. Behind, the positions seem interchangeable. Response from March 5, date of the first race, where Norris and his rookie teammate Oscar piastri will try to force their way into the top 10.

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