Lando Norris’ adaptability may bring him maiden Formula 1 title at McLaren

For the first time in decades, McLaren are leading the way in Formula One when it comes to construction, and have put a golden opportunity in the hands of one of their most loyal supporters and drivers, Lando Norris. 

Winning world titles in F1 requires more than just a fast car or fast driver, but a combination of both coupled with winning strategies. Somewhere last season, McLaren looked like they’ve found a formula for that success.

And now for the second consecutive season, the McLaren rocket seems to be miles ahead of any competition, with a 15-second gap between them.

It’s not a car or outfit that many other drivers have enjoyed success in, including grand prix winners like Carlos Sainz and Daniel Ricciardo, but the 25-year-old British racer has adapted to his situation. 

Norris opened up the season with a victory in Australia, and will look to carry that momentum to the Shanghai Circuit in this weekend’s Chinese Grand Prix. Drivers, most of them, dressed in their finest drip for media day on Thursday.

Norris said there were several positive takeaways from Australia, but there’s always room for improvement. 

“I think we had a great race – our gap to our competitors halfway through the race was 15 seconds or something, so more likely it was Safety Cars that brought them back into the race. We’re hopeful.

“I think as a driver, you’re always at the limit of your car and what your car can do, so you’re always trying to look at places to improve. I guess I’m trying to look at things I can do better.

“My start was good, but was it perfect? No, but it was clear where I lost on my performance in the launch. And then just from a car point of view, the car’s doing and performing well, but it’s still extremely difficult to drive,” Norris said. 

The MCL39 was modified to better its predecessor, which presented a learning curve this season for both Norris and Oscar Piastri.

 Norris, who has been with McLaren since the start of his F1 career, said he’s learnt to adapt his style to the car, although admitting it does not suit him. 

“It still doesn’t suit my driving style. I’ve got to a point where I’ve just accepted that you can’t have a car that suits your driving style – maybe it does suit some people’,” he said.

“I kind of got to a point where I stopped maybe asking so much for what I want and [I’m] more just willing to do whatever makes the car quicker.

“It is probably a tricky car to drive and put together laps, but clearly it’s taken a step forward to last year.

“It doesn’t suit me in terms of me wanting to push the entries and push the braking – it’s very weak from that point of view.

“So, not what I like, but at the same time, some of it is down to the adaptation of needing to change a little bit my driving style every year.

“The McLaren I drive this year is very different to what the McLaren was a few years ago – clearly, because we were at the back, and now we’re at the front.

“But some things carry on – I’ve only ever driven McLarens, so that’s all I know.

“I think it’s unique in certain aspects, obviously we have our strengths and weaknesses.

“Whenever someone has been at McLaren and gone to another team, they’ve often said how hard or odd the McLaren has been to drive, whether it was Daniel (Ricciardo) or Carlos (Sainz).

“It’s something I got used to, so I got to a point where I’ll just drive whatever car I have to drive.

“As long as it’s fighting for a win and quick enough to fight for a win, then I’m happy to drive what I get given,” the British racer said.