Lando Norris has revealed the McLaren automotive is forcing him to drive in a “totally different means” from this weekend’s Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
Though Norris leads the Drivers’ Championship by three factors from McLaren team-mate Oscar Piastri and eight factors from Crimson Bull’s Max Verstappen, he has not been completely glad with the automotive.
After his rollercoaster drive to 3rd in Bahrain, the British driver acknowledged he was “nowhere close to” his functionality in comparison with final yr.
“There are issues I will attempt to do in another way and find out about. I’ve a special method to issues in an effort to carry out higher,” Norris stated on Thursday forward in Jeddah.
“I am being pressured to drive differently and a special method that I am not used to and that isn’t regular for me in any respect. Nothing’s a assure.
“It is not like I will exit and issues are going to click on into place and I will really feel fantastic unexpectedly.
“However I believe I simply have a greater understanding of issues, hopefully that offers me extra confidence all collectively. However I’ve confidence in us as a group making an attempt to get probably the most out of the automotive.”
Norris had a 23-point lead over Piastri after the primary spherical, because the latter spun at his dwelling occasion. Nevertheless, Piastri has whittled down his deficit with wins in China and Bahrain.
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Relive all the highs and lows from Lando Norris’ race on the Bahrain Grand Prix, which noticed him end third
Norris took time without work after Bahrain in an try and not take into consideration F1 however inevitably thought concerning the “difficulties” he is been battling.
The 24-year-old didn’t elaborate on what areas he wants to enhance however feels he isn’t extracting sufficient from the automotive.
“I am not going to have the ability to drive like I did final yr and like I do know I am good at, which is bizarre to say in my seventh season of F1,” he stated.
“However I am nonetheless studying issues. The automotive is unquestionably totally different to the way it’s been. I am having to adapt so much in uncomfortable methods, however I are available in with in all probability much less strain as a result of I in all probability perceive a bit higher a few of these causes.
“I believe I am extra accepting of the struggles and the challenges that I’ve on the minute.”
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Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri give totally different views of how the Bahrain Grand Prix went for McLaren
Norris: My present driving type doesn’t go well with automotive in any respect
Norris took eight pole positions, probably the most of any driver, final yr however has solely taken pole within the season-opener in Australia thus far in 2025.
The McLaren driver, whose greatest end in Saudi Arabia is seventh, pointed to Qualifying when explaining his weaknesses after 4 rounds.
“My stage of confidence was very excessive on the finish of final season, not for another purpose, however I simply understood the automotive. I understood tips on how to drive it and I might exit and execute issues completely,” he stated.
“Now I can not, simply because my emotions will not be there, my means of driving is just not suited in any respect, and I simply hate not with the ability to understand how I will exit and carry out in a qualifying lap.
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Lando Norris and George Russell take a better take a look at their race footage within the quiet down room following the Bahrain Grand Prix
“Final yr, in case you requested me, ‘are you assured going into qualifying?’, I’d have been more likely to say ‘sure’ than what I’m now, and that is simply due to how I really feel within the automotive itself.”
Qualifying in Jeddah is without doubt one of the highlights on the calendar as a result of its excessive speeds and higher threat vs reward because of the closeness of the partitions.
Piastri is the motive force in type after his dominant victory in Bahrain and predicts Verstappen may very well be a much bigger issue this weekend.
“China was a observe that was very entrance restricted (like Jeddah) and we have been nonetheless very fast, so I am not overly involved,” he stated.
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Forward of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, Oscar Piastri says the championship standings are ‘getting in the appropriate route’.
“With such a excessive stage of grip, that is one thing which saved us within the final couple of years and this yr it could probably avoid wasting others.
“I am anticipating it to be fairly tight. It is a format and observe that is related in cornering speeds to Suzuka, so we’ll see if Crimson Bull are again within the combat. I count on us to be fast however with some opposition.”
Sky Sports activities F1’s Saudi Arabian GP Schedule
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Look again at among the most dramatic moments to have taken place on the Jeddah Corniche Circuit
Friday April 18
10.50am: F2 Practice12pm: F1 Academy Practice2pm: Saudi Arabian GP Follow One (session begins at 2.30pm)3.55pm: F2 Qualifying4.40pm: Workforce Bosses’ Press Conference5.45pm: Saudi Arabian GP Follow Two (session begins at 6pm)7.25pm: F1 Academy Qualifying8.10pm: The F1 Present
Saturday April 19
1.15pm: F1 Academy Race 12.05pm: Saudi Arabian GP Follow Three (session begins at 2.30pm)*4.10pm: F2 Sprint5.10pm: Saudi Arabian GP Qualifying build-up6pm: SAUDI ARABIAN GP QUALIFYING
Sunday April 20
1pm: F1 Academy Race 22.20pm: F2 Characteristic Race4.30pm: Saudi Arabian GP build-up: Grand Prix Sunday6pm: THE SAUDI ARABIAN GRAND PRIX*8pm: Saudi Arabian GP response: Chequered flag
*Additionally stay on Sky Sports activities Fundamental Occasion
System 1 completes its first triple-header of 2025 in Jeddah with the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix this weekend, stay on Sky Sports activities F1. Stream Sky Sports activities with NOW – No contract, cancel anytime
