Lando Norris sees how his team McLaren has moved a bit closer to frontrunners Mercedes and Ferrari in Shanghai. However, the Brit immediately warns that the team does not only owe this to the hard work from the team itself. The Shanghai International Circuit is a much ‘easier’ circuit, according to the driver: ‘That already eliminates half of all our problems’.
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No more than a sixth starting position for the Chinese GP is in the cards for reigning world champion Lando Norris. A year after McLaren was still dominant at the Shanghai International Circuit – the two drivers provided the first one-two of the season last year – the Brit has to settle for the third row of the grid. “But we should be happy that we were already so close to Ferrari,” Norris sighs after the session. “We are on the starting grid where we deserve to be.” Oscar Piastri starts the race next to his teammate from fifth place.
According to the McLaren driver, his team has taken a step forward in Shanghai. “There are a number of things we are doing better now, but it is also an easier circuit (than Melbourne, ed.),” Norris adds. “That already eliminates half of all our problems. We have taken steps forward, but there are certainly still plenty of things to improve. It is going to be difficult to finish ahead of a Mercedes for the time being, but we are working hard.”
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Ferrari faster through the corners
But it wasn’t just Mercedes that was too fast for both McLarens during the Chinese qualifying session. “Ferrari was also faster, just like this morning,” Norris continues. “We have a better engine, and that is our advantage today. We have more speed on the straights because of it. But Ferrari has a car that can go through the corners faster than even a Mercedes. It is incredibly difficult to keep up with them in the corners, and then keep pace on the straights. That is certainly not ideal during a race situation, but never say never,” Norris keeps hope for a good result alive. “We are certainly still in it, but it will be difficult.”
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