Lando Norris believes he and McLaren have learned a lot from a difficult 2022 Formula 1 season.
McLaren came into the new year hopeful they could finally break the big three’s monopoly, but things quickly unravelled in Bahrain, where the team struggled with brake problems.
Although results later improved upon return to Europe, McLaren didn’t have the pace to fight for the top five, costing the team fourth in the constructors’ championship to Alpine.
“A lot was learned both from my side as a driver,” Norris told select media including Total-Motorsport.com.
“Also, for us as a team, we had a very rough start but made some good progress from then on out.
“So maintaining that, but at least starting from a better position is our goal this year. As a driver, I think there are so many things that I was able to take on board.
“Things over the winter, we’ve put a plan in place to try and improve and combat. But some good plans, I would say to help myself improve and bring myself to the next step.”
Praise for newcomer Piastri
Norris goes into his fifth year of F1 with a new teammate, former Formula 2 champion and ex-Alpine reserve driver Oscar Piastri.
When asked about what he thought of Piastri, Norris praised the young Australian’s feeder series record and his personality.
“It’s a pleasure for me to work alongside Oscar. He’s a guy who’s done insanely well and probably had one of the best track records before getting to F1,” said Norris.
“So I’m not expecting it to be easy in any regard. And he’s coming in young and with the mentality of wanting to come in and do extremely well from the beginning.
“As much as I always want an easy teammate to beat. I do enjoy the competitive side; that’s why I love F1. I enjoy competition; I enjoy getting pushed.
“He’s a lovely guy from what I know, what I’ve seen so far and spoken to him, is a guy who is very down to earth, and I enjoy working with people like that.”
