The new McLaren has not yet hit the track, but Lando Norris has already had the opportunity to celebrate a first milestone in this early part of 2022, or a contract extension that confirms him in the team until the end of the 2025 season. In his first three years in Formula 1 Lando has managed to pass from a promising youngster to a point of reference, a status now guaranteed by the new agreement with McLaren and highlighted by his very recent move to Monte Carlo.
Norris has received unanimous acclaim, and is considered to all intents and purposes one of the fixed points of Formula 1 over the next ten years, but a worry remains (which Lando masks well), and is the one linked to the first success in a Grand Prix, a milestone close to but so far never achieved. It is the unspoken goal of 2022, then the rest Lando and McLaren will discover it along the way, in a season in which the team has dared a little more in the design of the car.
Let’s start with the contract. The extension was in the air, but it surprised how long the agreement lasted.
“It’s something we already had in mind, especially after a positive season like last year. Both the team and I were ready for this renewal, and I honestly don’t feel too much pressure due to such an important extension. I am aware that expectations will be high, especially from the outside because everyone will wonder why McLaren has decided to extend a contract to one of its drivers for another 4 years ”.
Last season was your best in Formula 1, you got podium finishes and pole positions, but for several reasons you have not won so far. Is this an aspect that is starting to weigh on you?
“It’s something they start to remind me often, but I have to say that I don’t feel a particular pressure. It is a goal, of course, if I manage to reach it this year it will be wonderful and if not, the following season will come. But it is not an aspect that influences me, let’s say that I can’t wait for it to arrive because I want to feel the sensation you get “.
Do you feel ready to be the potential reference driver of the team?
“Yes, I would say yes. I don’t think it would make me feel more nervous, but I guess it definitely brings with it more responsibility. But Daniel is in his twelfth year in Formula 1, so there are still little things he can add that come from his experience with him. I hate using this aspect as an excuse, but the more I increase my personal experience, the more I understand its importance “
How did you feel when you saw the new car for the first time?
“I liked the MCL36 right from the start, I mean the livery. I am a fan of these bright colors, and I think it is also understood by my helmet which is inspired by the Valentino Rossi livery. I like the fact that there are a lot of unpainted components with exposed carbon, it reminds me of the single-seater I raced with in the European Formula 3 which was completely black. I hope it is as fast as it is beautiful ”.
The 2022 single-seaters are starting to be seen. Have you got an idea if you will like this generation of car or not?
“As always at the beginning you have to get used to it, get an eye on it. It has already happened in the past few years when the halo was introduced, I remember it initially looked horrible, while today it is a normal element in the design of the cars, nobody pays much attention to it and I think the same will happen with the new generation of single-seaters. . At first glance these cars look huge and very different, but as time goes on you will get used to them. The Aston Martin was the first single-seater to hit the track and I was struck by the height of the front wing, it has a strange design. Last year we saw the front wings almost touching the asphalt and from the outside you had the impression of admiring really dynamic and very fast cars. On the simulator the feeling is good. Obviously we have to see if the values will match even when we get out on the track and we will be confronted with the rivals ”.
Daniel Ricciardo, McLaren MCL36
Photo by: McLaren
You have only driven one generation of Formula 1 single-seaters so far. According to several drivers, a significant change in driving awaits you. How do you see it about it?
“I’m pretty confident. In my career when I was very young I changed category every year, and only in Formula 1 did I have the opportunity to do more seasons in the same context. I am not afraid to start with a new car, I think the speed of adaptation is one of my strengths, so at the moment I feel confident and I can’t wait to get started ”.
Do you think your goal will be to be the third force or do you hope that you can get to fight with Red Bull and Mercedes?
“We all know how high the level of Red Bull, Mercedes and Ferrari is, they are teams that have better facilities than ours, such as the latest generation wind tunnel and simulators, tools that McLaren will have in a couple of years. In some areas we know that it will be difficult for us to live up to them, but this does not mean that we will not be able to express ourselves at our best on other fronts, and if we manage to confirm ourselves at the end of the season as a third or fourth force, then we will have to be happy. And if something better comes along… then it will be wonderful ”.
James Key confirmed that his engineering staff took a rather aggressive approach in the choices that shaped the car. Is this an attitude that you find favorable? There is a scenario in which you could apply to a great surprise, but also the possibility that something may not work making the season an uphill battle.
“Normally I think in a negative way and then, if the opposite happens, I can be very happy! But I fully support this approach of the team, today we are in a position that allows us to take some risks, I approve of James’s choices, and I think the whole team has worked very hard. And then they know a lot more than I do, it’s not me who has to tell them how to work, I’m a pilot and I do mine. I would add that even if unfortunately there was something to fix, we have the possibility to change, we are at the beginning of a technical cycle, and development will still be an important part of the season ”.
How do you feel in Monte Carlo? Have you met Russell and Albon?
“I don’t know if George has moved to Munich, from what I know he is still in the UK, and I have moved so recently that I haven’t seen anyone yet. I have spent a lot of time at McLaren recently for the preparatory work for the season, however for what little I have had the opportunity to understand, in Monaco everything is very quiet, and that is what I look for in the intervals between races. Alex is often there and of course Charles is there too, I’ve already talked to them and soon I think I’ll go play golf with Charles. I know that he is passionate about paddle, so he knows that I will have to approach that context and immerse myself in Monegasque habits “.
Do you think you will adapt to a more mundane life or will you continue shopping and cycling?
“So far few worldly things, I would say. One of the first days I had to go out to buy some forks because I realized that I only had knives and spoons in the house… let’s say I’m still on the high seas as far as organization is concerned. Regarding boats or similar things, I would say no, at the moment I don’t need them for the life I lead, and I wouldn’t even have the time to enjoy this kind of thing, maybe in the future, who knows, but in that case I think that I will be able to rent a boat from… Max! To date, I don’t have a car in Monaco, so if someone over there has one to lend me, it would be a very welcome favor! ”.
Lando Norris, McLaren MCL36
Photo by: McLaren
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