Lando Norris has lauded McLaren’s exceptional driver lineup, citing it as their competitive advantage over other teams. He expressed that Lewis Hamilton’s lack of familiarity with Ferrari equipment puts the Italian team at a disadvantage.
McLaren had a strong start to the season, clinching victories in the initial two races, with Norris winning in Melbourne and his teammate Oscar Piastri leading a one-two finish in China. These successes have sparked discussions about a potential championship battle between the McLaren drivers.
Norris views the rivalry between him and his teammate as beneficial, pushing the team to achieve new heights in performance. He emphasized that having two skilled drivers sets McLaren apart from other teams and plays a significant role in their success, even when they may not have the fastest car on the track.
Regarding their current position, Norris stated, “We are not that far ahead, but I think it’s because we literally are the only team that has two good drivers at the minute.” He highlighted the importance of having strong drivers who can push each other to excel, which he believes gives McLaren an edge.
In contrast, Red Bull has faced challenges with their second driver, leading them to replace Liam Lawson with Yuki Tsunoda after just two races. Hamilton’s move to Ferrari this season has also brought attention to the learning curve he faces with his new car, further reinforcing Norris’s belief in McLaren’s team dynamics.
Norris explained, “The Ferrari one is experience – not in F1 because we are lacking in that department,” pointing out the advantage of having two drivers who understand the team well and have been with McLaren for an extended period. He mentioned Hamilton’s adaptation process at Ferrari and emphasized the teamwork and mutual improvement between him and Piastri as crucial factors in McLaren’s success.
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