Lando Norris has downplayed McLaren’s performance during pre-season testing at Barcelona, saying they’re not in an “amazing place.”
McLaren topped some of the session at the Circuit of Barcelona-Catalunya. However, Norris believes the results are not representative of where McLaren finds itself ahead of the new season.
Instead, the British driver admitted he expects to see Mercedes and Red Bull at the front, and explained the team found issues during testing.
“I think it’s been a decent start,” Norris said.
“George obviously topped the timesheets [in Friday morning’s session], so if he thinks we’re strong, we’re going to think he’s strong.
“I think if there’s any team on the grid right now that you’ll expect to be at the front come when it matters, it’s going to be Mercedes and probably Red Bull.
“I don’t think we’re in an amazing place,” the British driver continued.
“I think we’re in a good place. We had a car which, as soon as you put [it] on the track, worked well.
“Of course, there’s always some new things and some unexpected issues here and there, but it’s been a good start. I think it’s been clean.
“We’ve worked on our program, we worked through the things you want to work through. And of course, it’s the first time we get to really compare things to the simulator and the simulations we’ve had for the last two years or so.
“So it’s been productive. We’ve made a lot of progress. Obviously, a lot of stuff to work on for us, and myself as a driver. A lot of things learned, so [I’m] happy with the day and a half [of running I had in the car] so far.”
