Lando Norris has spoken about his difficulties with the McLaren Formula 1 car, saying he feels he is not performing to his full potential after a challenging Bahrain Grand Prix weekend.
Despite finishing third in the Bahrain race, starting from sixth on the grid, Norris believes he could have done better. His teammate, Oscar Piastri, finished ahead, increasing the pressure within the team.
After qualifying mistakes placed him behind Piastri, Norris confessed that his target for the race was second place, indicating his ambition was not fully met.
His race was further complicated by a five-second penalty for being out of position at the start, and struggles overtaking other cars.
Norris had to overtake Lewis Hamilton twice after a safety car period, and it took him several laps to pass Charles Leclerc in the other Ferrari. Ultimately, he couldn`t overtake George Russell`s Mercedes for second place.
“I made mistakes I shouldn`t have,” Norris told media. “Otherwise, I think our pace was quite good.”
“It was a tough race. Whether I could have caught George with more laps is irrelevant, as I didn`t.”
“The positive is points, but the negative is we didn`t achieve our full potential.”
“Nowhere Near My Full Capability”
Norris entered the season as a favorite, especially after winning the opening race in Australia. However, Piastri has won two of the subsequent three races, and Max Verstappen won the other. It`s becoming clear Norris is finding it hard to get the most out of the McLaren MCL39 car.
“Honestly, I`m surprised I`m achieving the results I am right now, considering how I feel in the car,” he stated.
“I`m uncomfortable and not happy with the car`s feel. Something just isn`t clicking, and I don`t know what it is.”
In the post-race press conference, Norris elaborated, “I can`t drive the way I did last season. Then, I knew every corner and how the car would behave. I felt in control.”
“This year is the opposite. Even in Australia, despite winning, I lacked confidence.”
“The car is very fast, which is helping me overcome some issues. But I`m not driving to my full potential, which is frustrating to admit.”
Self-Criticism and Determination
Known for his self-critical nature, Norris publicly acknowledged his errors after qualifying, which placed him behind Piastri. He described his performance as “clueless” and “not quick enough,” feeling like he had “never driven a Formula 1 car before.”
However, Norris clarified that while searching for solutions to his car issues, he doesn`t doubt his driving ability.
“I spent a lot of time last night analyzing everything to understand my struggles,” he said.
“I`m trying to understand what has changed since last year. Is it me, or the car? It`s complicated.”
“But I`m not doubting myself. Something isn`t gelling, making me uncomfortable in the car.”
“I know I have what it takes. But without confidence in the car, knowing its limits in every corner, I can`t be as fast as needed, especially against the best drivers. Being unsettled is a problem, and that`s happening now.”
He added, “I don`t have immediate answers. We have work to do to understand these issues. Despite feeling off, I`m surprised by my results, including a win and a second place. I`ll keep working hard.”
Team Principal Praises Norris`s Approach
McLaren team principal Andrea Stella commented on Norris`s handling of the situation. Stella, who has worked with many champions, noted, “It`s an uncomfortable situation, but Lando`s approach is similar to other champions I`ve worked with.”
Stella highlighted Norris`s openness and self-criticism, contrasting it with drivers who blame the team. “I admire Lando for taking responsibility. After a poor qualifying lap, he took full blame, even though we know car changes have made things harder for him.”
“Some drivers immediately blame the team when there`s a problem, which is unhealthy. Lando`s approach is crucial for team building and focusing on performance, not internal conflict.”
