All Components 1 drivers are very egocentric beings, aren't they? And it's type of justified whenever you have a look at the historical past of the game. There have been so many gifted drivers and even championship drivers who by no means acquired an opportunity to combat for the title. What a pity. Simply have a look Lando Norris. He was already employed with McLaren till the top of 2025, and but he signed a multi-year contract with the group on the finish of January, the expiration date of which we don’t even know. Quite the opposite, he referred to as MCL60 garbage only a 12 months in the past after the beginning of the season in Bahrain. Within the third episode of the brand new season 6 'Drive To Survive'Norris claims he wanted to be in a greater automotive.
Nevertheless, McLaren turned the 2023 season on its head with its improve package deal in Austria. The group that struggled to get into Q2 and Q3 on Saturday all of a sudden began to combat for a podium place on Sunday. Lando Norris managed to get 6 locations within the P2 race Austria till the top of the season. Oscar Piastri even managed to safe victory within the dash Catarrh. Instantly McLaren regarded just like the group he can be at. However Norris didn't see it that method firstly of final season.
Lando Norris was tempted to just accept Purple Bull Christian Horner's supply in 2023
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Whereas the Papaya group struggled firstly of the season, Norris would by no means have imagined it could be his greatest season in Components 1, scoring a complete of 205 factors. The group had a troublesome begin, failing to fulfill improvement targets and Norris himself solely managed three factors within the first eight races. His worst nightmare was the beginning of the season Bahrain the place he completed 2 laps decrease than the chief. After the race, he actually commented that he did “Perhaps stroll into Purple Bull and steal their automotive.
Within the third episode of Drive To Survive Season 6, Lando Norris was seen talking on the schedule for the race after Bahrain, “I'll do one little factor, I received't shoot myself.” Fu*king nook, I quit. As soon as I do one factor mistaken, it's only a waste“ the Brit defined to his group. Later within the episode Christian Horner expressed his curiosity in poaching Norris away from McLaren, saying: “I believe Lando is likely one of the most gifted drivers on the grid… We would definitely be concerned with him. I believe he would match into our surroundings.”
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Even the 24-year-old appeared too pissed off with McLaren's efficiency at one level to counsel he may go to Purple Bull Racing. he stated “Each driver interviews as many individuals as they will to present them choices. I must be in a greater automotive, however I'm not… It's uncommon that you just get one driver who stays with the identical group for a whole profession.”
READ MORE: Trendsetter Lando Norris' world takes off and juniors from ex-kart group adore him
However all that’s up to now as he’s now absolutely dedicated to McLaren for an unknown variety of years. However how will McLaren fare towards Purple Bull in 2024?
Norris believes they’re properly behind Purple Bull after pre-season testing
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The 2024 season kicked off with pre-season testing and all eyes had been on McLaren as they had been the closest group to Purple Bull till the top of 2023. Nevertheless, regardless of an honest take a look at with constant occasions over the three-day take a look at interval, Norris feels that McLaren continues to be lagging behind its principal rivals.
🎬 Lando Norris:
“The goal is to remain near redbull, we wish to win races, so pace up the automotive and work on these areas the place we’re nonetheless weak.”
“This 12 months as a group we’re in all probability in a position to combat for P2 or P3 within the Constructor's”pic.twitter.com/KXSoFtndF8
— McLaren Information | 🇬🇧 🇦🇺 (@McLarenF1_News) February 23, 2024
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He famous that whereas McLaren's idea automotive from the earlier season positioned them properly for the upcoming marketing campaign; they consider they nonetheless have a substantial result in shut with the entrance runners. “I believe we've positively taken some steps in the appropriate path,” Norris said throughout media interactions. “However I believe we’re nonetheless fairly far behind Purple Bull and loads behind Ferrari.”
Can McLaren preserve its upward trajectory and eventually problem for race wins in 2024? What are your predictions?