Along with most of the network, McLaren is expected to bring about significant improvements in the Grand Prix to Emilia Romagna this weekend in Imola.
The first European race of the season is the standard arrival point for the main new parts, with teams that have had enough time to develop them, along with the logistical challenges facilitated by the proximity of the event with their factories.
Although McLaren had been a prevailing force during the six -round opening, winning five of the six Grands Prix and opening a 105 -point lead at the head of the constructor championship, Norris has admitted that he is looking forward to updates.
This is because compared to his teammate Oscar Piastri, who traces 16 points at the top of the drivers ranking, Norris has fought with his McLaren treatment, especially on a lap in the qualification.
McLaren team director Andrea Stella has revealed that he hope that future updates will make MCL39 easier for Norris to drive.
Asked about that perspective earlier this month in Miami’s Grand Prix, Norris said: “I certainly think it will help.
“I honestly do not know the exact deadline of things. There is also a mix of things that will slowly come and be implemented over time.
“But I also do not want to rely on it myself. There are things I am working separately, and I hope this is a better adjustment than to wait for other bits to come. But it is good to work as a team and try to understand these things.”
Norris easily surpassed the piastri last season, but Australian won four of the last five competitions to settle as the title of favorite books of favorite books on his teammate.
Norris added: “It is clear that there have been differences from last year in the way the car works, how it works and how I am able to take the time and laps from it and perform.
“So a mix of things. I have to be a little patient with some things – some are bigger than others – but takes time. So I just keep my head down and keep pushing myself.”
Does the MCL39 piastri suit or is it just better adapted?
While McLaren has been very clearly the fastest cars over the distance of the race, in the qualification of both drivers have ever struggled to extract the MCL39 performance that proves difficult to treat low fuel.
Regarding last year, when he was dominating the Piastri in qualification, it is Norris who has left much worse, with mistakes in successive competitions in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, letting him start from the sixth and 10th respectively on the network.
Asked if this year’s car is more suitable for the style of driving than his, Norris replied, “Ain very difficult to answer. I think there are only certain things that do not allow me to feel what I need to feel and those things that allow me to go to the level – to take poles and to drive to the highest level.
“We’re talking about small things. It’s not how it is impossible to run all of a sudden. Just when we’re talking about the qualified separation from a hundredth of a second, thousands of seconds, that’s what I’m complaining and nothing more than that.
“It’s not what I probably can only give you an answer yes or no. I think he’s probably more naturally able to fit. And I also think it’s a driver’s job to fit with whatever car they get, but there are compromises, and the team is also there to try and help you get as many out of the car.
“But it is clear that there have been some changes and if it is simply the appropriate Oscar or Oscar way, or he doing a better job in adapting, it is not for me to know or try and understand or spend my time.
“It also hurt me a little more and I was unable to perform at the level I was at the end of last season, which I think is the best level I was.”
The European F1 season begins with Grand Prix Emilia Romagna this weekend, live at Sky Sports F1. Stream Sky Sports with now – without contract, cancel at any time