Norris: McLaren now ‘more capable’ of winning races than five years ago

Lando Norris believes McLaren is “more capable” of winning races than it has been in the last five years in Formula 1.

The team experienced a win drought between 2012 and 2021, with Daniel Ricciardo taking his first victory in almost 10 years recently at the 2021 Italian Grand Prix.

It came close to challenging Red Bull for the 2023 victory, particularly at the Japanese and Brazilian Grands Prix when Norris managed to close in on Max Verstappen at race pace.

Norris leaves the 2023 season having equaled Nick Heidfield’s record for most podiums without a race win (15), but the Briton believes the team is in a better position to challenge next year.

“I expect a bigger change than we had last year. I feel like we’re in a place now more than ever where we can handle a lot of things at once,” Norris told the media, including. RacingNews365.

“If you’re still last you try to focus more on one thing, which makes the car a little faster.”

Norris: We can focus more on the finer details

McLaren recently put their new state-of-the-art tunnel into action at their Technology Center in Woking.

Since 2010 the team had been using Toyota’s wind tunnel facility in Cologne, due to the fact that its existing facility was not fit for purpose as the cars grew in size.

The facility was upgraded as part of the renovation, and is now being used to build their 2024 opponent. Norris feels the team is now in a better position to focus on “the finer details” as they look to build on their current form into next season.

“We’re in a better position that we can focus on some of the better details, but details that we haven’t been able to improve on in the last five years,” Norris said.

“The things that I would like to have more as a driver, and I think are more suitable for me as a driver, so trying to work on those things. Now we have more power than everyone trying to focus and improve.

“That will help in qualifying, help the pace of the race, and the little things can make a big difference. If we can work on that, then I’m confident we can have a really good car next year.”