McLaren’s Norris expecting pain after slow start as Lewis hails hard work
Lando Norris says he is braced for pain at McLaren following the British team’s dreadful start to the new season.
Norris, one of the standout stars of the last Formula One campaign,crossedtheline15th of the 17 finishers at Sunday’s Bahrain Grand Prix. His teammateDanielRicciardowasjust one place better off in 14th.
McLaren have been on something of an upward trajectory in recent years – with
Ricciardo securing their first win in nine years at last September’s Italian Grand Prix.
But Norris, 22, provided a gloomy outlook for Britain’s most successful F1 team.
“I am expecting pain and everyone needs to know there will be pain,” said Norris. “I am sure it looked just as bad as it feltbutthisiswhereweareand we have to get used to it.
“Over the last few seasons there has been a lot of expectation from within the team and everyone watching and we have not got it right at the moment. We are a long, long way off, not just a little bit but a long way.
“We have to start fresh, figure things out and find solutions. That doesn’t mean that next week we are going to be amazingbutinmonthstocome we need to understand what is goingonandhowtogetbetter.”
Norris signed a long-term deal with McLaren last month – believed to be worth up to £20m per season – which ties him to British team until the end of 2025.
He added: “I still believe some tracks will be better for us. I am hoping this will be as badasitgetsbutitmightnotbe.
“The improvement could arrive a third of the way through the season, halfway through the season, or three quarters. I don’t want to believe we will not see any improvement this season. We havebeeninthispositionafew years ago. We have to remain optimistic and get back on track. I have faith in the team.”
Lewis Hamilton said after his third-placed finish, “Every point can make a difference.
“I have lost world titles by one point, but, while we are not necessarily on a par with thefastestguys,itisareally,really great result.
“Of course it was fortunate, but ultimately we have done a better job because we had better reliability. So I don’t say it is luck, but hard work.
“It is such a long season and it is going to be such a hard battle, but we love a challenge, Iloveachallengeanditisaprivilegetoworkwithateamthatis hungry and focused on a common goal. There is no better feeling when you come together and have a result like this.”