Norris has a competitive advantage that seems to have been enhanced by newcomer Oscar Piastri, who made a significant impression on the grid.
During the F1 Nation Podcast, Damon Hill, Pedro De La Rosa, Natalie Pinkham, and Tom Clarkson shared their opinions ahead of the upcoming racing season.
Hill expressed concern about the feedback he received regarding Piastri’s performance in the tests. He mentioned McLaren’s hopes of maintaining their good performance from 2023.
“McLaren hopes to carry their excellent form from the end of 2023 into this year,” Hill stated.
Reflecting on Norris’ remarkable performance, Hill noted, “Lando Norris was only surpassed by Max Verstappen after they introduced their improvements in Austria, and aside from some issues in qualifying, he was exceptional.”
Norris’ competitive advantage seems to have been enhanced by newcomer Oscar Piastri, who made a notable impression on the grid.
Piastri’s performance in the Qatar Sprint Race received praise, with Ralf Schumacher commenting that he “never makes mistakes.”
Despite McLaren’s improved position compared to the previous year, not all of their problems have been resolved.
About the McLaren car, De La Rosa observed, “It didn’t seem like an easy car to drive out there.”
He noted that the drivers were struggling in the corners, particularly highlighting Piastri’s difficulties during the short races.
Responding to De La Rosa’s remarks, Hill expressed further concern, saying, “That’s a bit worrying.”
While McLaren aims to gain a competitive advantage with unique components for the car, their historical performance at the Bahrain circuit has not been impressive, with a double retirement in 2004 and no victories.
Hill suggested that it would be wiser to evaluate McLaren’s position relative to their rivals after the first five races, considering their tendency to introduce improvements throughout the season.
