Lando Norris opens up on frustrations over McLaren performance ahead of 2023 Formula 1 season

Lando Norris admits he has considered trying to force a move away from McLaren but insists he has “not lost faith in the team” ahead of the start of the 2023 Formula 1 season.

The 23-year-old Briton has become one of the top drivers in the sport, but he has yet to win a race, with McLaren rarely fielding a car capable of challenging for victory.

At the launch of the 2023 model on Monday, new McLaren team principal Andrea Stella warned that the situation would not change this season, with the team targeting 2025 to return to the front of the grid.

After signing a contract extension in February 2022, Norris is tied to the team until the end of the 2025 campaign, but his talent is such that his future remains a major talking point ahead of the start of the new season, which begins in Bahrain. on March 5.

“I have the patience, at this point, to wait for this year, and not even wait for people to come out, but to make the most of these two years,” said Norris at the launch of McLaren’s MCL60.

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The McLaren team reviewed the MCL60 as revealed for the first time ahead of the 2023 F1 season.

“I like to do it, to some extent, I’m only 23 and I think I still have many years, and those two years and maybe 2025 will be the year where we can be in that position. to really fight for things.

“Sometimes it’s difficult to think because I’m a competitive person and I want to win, so of course you think about what you can do to get that position before, but I’m also happy with myself. Now, I have good confidence in the team, if not, maybe my mindset will be different.”

Norris’ – and his team’s – confidence in progress over the next few years is based on significant investment in infrastructure, especially the building of a wind tunnel and a new simulator, both of which will be ready for use in the middle of 2023. .

At that point, the team is likely to focus on the development of the 2024 car, so they will mark next season as signs of progress become apparent.

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In 2022, McLaren canceled a place in the Constructors’ Championship for the second campaign in a row, finishing fifth after failing to take advantage of the introduction of radical new design regulations, which they hoped would give them the opportunity to close the gap on Red Bull, Mercedes. and Ferrari.

“It’s a long way off, but we’ll see how this season progresses, how we can do it at the end of the season when we get things in the new wind tunnel and get the first ideas,” Norris said. .

“I want to believe that 2024 and 2025 are when you should start to see bigger changes. It feels like a long time, we have to do it all year, but the beginning is starting this year.

“I know that we have said a bit over the last few years and so on. And I ask that the end of this year is frustrating because of the new rules, new regulations really our chance for pioneers who jump forward, but that is not to be.

“(It’s) frustrating from my side, frustrating for the whole team in that position, but I think there are valid reasons, and I will certainly not lose faith in the team that I am a part of. I am very happy to continue working with him to be a part of from the trip to hopefully get back to the championship and win the race.”

Stella: Norris should guide us

McLaren team principal Andrea Stella said he had “sympathy” for Norris at the prospect of driving another non-competitive car in 2023, but urged the Briton to help the team’s development.

“I will always understand and have sympathy for him (Norris),” said Stella, who was promoted from chief executive to replace Andreas Seidl after leaving Germany in the autumn for Sauber to take the opportunity to oversee the transition to Audi.

“But at the same time, we don’t just want to keep Lando on board, we want him to take a key position in the team.

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McLaren CEO Zak Brown gave an update on all the team’s business, including drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, at the launch of the 2023 car on Monday.

“I have seen before, great drivers take the main position when it is time to build the team, and of course Lando is now ready to take this responsibility.

“But when it comes to ourselves, what we can do is focus on ourselves. We know that Lando will be happy if we are happy, if we are happy with the development of the car, the development of the team, then he. His happiness and willingness to stay with the team will be the result naturally.”

McLaren chief executive Zak Brown added: “He (Norris) signed up for the long term because he understands the journey we are on.

“It feels like a family for him, so as long as we keep going … we’re all impatient, so we’re all in the desire to win, but we know it’s going to take a little longer. .”

The entire pre-season test is live on Sky Sports F1 from 23-25 ​​February, as is every Formula 1 practice, qualifying and race. The season opener is the Bahrain Grand Prix on March 5.