Lando Norris insists McLaren just isn’t comfortably faster than the remainder of the sector on the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix as its constructors’ title hopes took a lift attributable to a penalty for Charles Leclerc.
Ferrari needed to change the vitality retailer in Leclerc’s automotive throughout FP1, triggering a 10-place grid penalty that additional reduces its probabilities of overturning a 21-point deficit to McLaren within the battle for the constructors’ championship. Norris then duly went quickest in FP2 — the principle consultant observe session of the weekend — forward of teammate Oscar Piastri, however downplayed how good the standings made the group look.
“The automotive’s been feeling good the entire day, so we continued our tempo out of Qatar and it feels sturdy,” Norris stated. “I undoubtedly assume we’ve got some issues to enhance on each high and low gasoline [loads], most likely extra so the excessive gasoline.
“It definitely seems to be higher than it’s. I don’t assume any of the others turned up their engines but, so it would look wonderful for now however I believe we’re nonetheless going to have a tricky battle tomorrow.”
Even so, Norris acknowledged the areas he desires to make progress on are extra a case of fine-tuning than main weaknesses that McLaren is dealing with.
“It’s nothing big; it’s small issues,” he stated. “It’s looking for a stability going faster however saving the tires, particularly within the longer-run stuff. The place are you able to push extra and the place do it is advisable to save? How will you save the tires extra with driving, with the toys I can change on my steering wheel, the underlying stability of the automotive? Simply looking for the precise compromise is the principle factor.”
Crew principal Andrea Stella says the penalty for Leclerc doesn’t take any strain off McLaren because it seems to be to safe a primary constructors’ title since 1998.
“In no way,” Stella stated. “I assume you anticipated this reply! In no way. We discuss Charles Leclerc. We discuss Ferrari. It’s a really sturdy mixture. I believe even with the penalty, I wouldn’t be stunned if we are able to see them very quickly preventing for the entrance, for the highest positions. So nothing adjustments. We maintain remaining calm, centered and stuffed with vitality.”
