P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Lando Norris says McLaren is struggling more with the rear of its new MCL39 Formula 1 car than it would like, as it begins to explore the limits in pre-season testing
Lando Norris acknowledges that McLaren is facing challenges with the rear of its new MCL39 Formula 1 car during pre-season testing, despite aiming for improvements to enhance development opportunities after winning the constructors’ championship last year. The team has made significant changes to almost every component of the car in order to make it more innovative and faster overall. While early testing has shown some promising potential and positive aspects, there have also been some initial difficulties, particularly with the rear of the car causing some concern.
Norris highlighted that they are still early in the testing phase and are working on balancing and optimizing the car’s performance, focusing on areas of improvement, especially the rear end. McLaren is confident in their ability to address these weaknesses with proper setup adjustments and continuous development. The team’s objective is to be competitive right from the start of the season and to maintain a fighting spirit throughout, rather than expecting a significant performance leap ahead of others. Despite some challenges, McLaren remains optimistic about the car’s overall performance and is actively refining its setup to achieve optimal stability and control on track. Tracking McLaren’s progress in testing will provide insights into how effectively they address and overcome these technical challenges to stay competitive in the upcoming season.
