Lando Norris is uncertain whether or not McLaren’s sizeable F1 improve bundle for this weekend’s Dutch Grand Prix is working or not after the primary day of working at Zandvoort.
McLaren have launched a major replace on their automotive for this weekend’s race – their first since Miami – as they appear to shut in on Pink Bull within the constructors’ championship.
McLaren sit simply 42 factors behind Pink Bull – and arguably are the favourites to take the title given Sergio Perez’s stuttering performances.
It’s nonetheless early days although for McLaren and understanding their new improve bundle.
Chatting with F1TV after the session, Norris feels McLaren haven’t got the quickest automotive on the market.
“In all probability not, Mercedes are fairly fast – it’s shut,” he stated. “I don’t assume there’s a quickest, it simply will depend on various factors.
“We’ve been in good type since Miami, however we’ve probably not introduced any updates since Miami, this weekend’s our first time making an attempt to make a bit extra progress with the automotive.
“So optimistic, however I don’t know if it’s working or not or the way it’s performing on the minute, however right this moment was an affordable day and we’re there or thereabouts. So somewhat bit extra to search out in a single day hopefully and we will problem the Mercedes.”
Norris ended FP2 fourth-fastest general, simply over 0.2s off George Russell’s tempo.
It was tight on the high although with the battle for pole seeking to be between the McLarens, Mercedes pair and Max Verstappen.
Norris is eyeing “a little bit of progress” earlier than being a real contender to take pole on Saturday.
“Fairly good. Good to be again within the automotive, I feel Zandvoort’s a troublesome one to return again to immediately, simply because it’s fast – it’s up and down, it’s twisty, a little bit of every little thing,” he added.
“So a pleasant first day again within the automotive however a little bit of progress must be made earlier than tomorrow.”