Lando Norris has revealed he’s “gaining confidence” following an encouraging Friday on the F1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
Norris topped second apply on the Jeddah Corniche Circuit forward of McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri.
The F1 world championship chief was simply over a tenth away from Piastri in FP2.
It’s a powerful begin to the weekend from Norris following a difficult Bahrain weekend for the British driver.
Norris may solely qualify sixth in Bahrain earlier than an error-strewn race.
Norris obtained a five-second penalty for misjudging his place on the beginning grid and made a number of errors when preventing Charles Leclerc for third.
Whereas Norris was capable of get forward of Leclerc for the ultimate spot on the rostrum, he was disillusioned that he wouldn’t be capable of overtake George Russell on the ultimate lap.
Norris’ scruffy weekend resulted in a raft of self-criticism, and he continues to be outspoken about how a lot he’s scuffling with the MCL39.
Up to now in Saudi Arabia, Norris feels he’s on the “proper monitor” after an encouraging Friday.
“A reasonably respectable first day. At all times feels chaotic round right here as a result of it’s so quick,” Norris mentioned.
“Lots of partitions. Lots of near-misses. At the moment has been a day of engaged on my driving, engaged on myself greater than engaged on the automobile. I’ve been getting extra assured.
“I feel a great begin to the weekend. Productive. Gaining confidence, gaining feeling. From what I wished to realize at the moment I feel [I’m] heading in the right direction.”
Lando Norris: McLaren ‘hoped for a much bigger hole’
When it comes to McLaren’s nearest challengers, Max Verstappen was third-fastest for Pink Bull.
The reigning world champion was simply over 0.2s off the tempo.
Leclerc was the lead Ferrari in fourth, having led the way in which after the preliminary runs on the medium tyres.
Assessing McLaren’s possibilities for qualifying, Norris added: “I imply on the minute I’d say we really feel assured however the others usually are not far behind. I used to be most likely hoping for a much bigger hole than what we had at the moment.
“We all know we’re quick. We all know we’ve an incredible automobile. Definitely not comfy, not as comfy as we’d like.
“Nothing greater than that. Maintain our heads down and hold specializing in ourselves and see what we are able to do.”
