Lando Norris has already found reasons to be encouraged by McLaren’s latest updates after a productive opening day of running at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix where the new packages appears to be doing precisely what it was designed to do.
The Woking outfit was the only team to introduce a significant developments at Interlagos, bringing in its crates a revised front wing, rear wing, beam wing and floor furniture in an effort to extract additional performance from its car.
Norris had been cautious about the potential impact ahead of the weekend, particularly as the modifications were not specifically intended to cure the handling characteristics that have made the MCL40 an occasionally troublesome companion this season.
However, two encouraging practice sessions, in which he finished inside the top three on both occasions, have given him fresh optimism.
More performance without changing the character
Speaking after Friday's running, Norris was pleased with the pace McLaren had demonstrated, although he acknowledged that Mercedes had enjoyed an advantage during the afternoon session.
“I think FP1 we seemed quite easily on the pace,” Norris said in the media pen.
“FP2 we may have struggled a little bit more to match the Mercedes, but I think actually it's been a pretty good start to the weekend. We've continued the trend that we had in Mexico. So, I think all in all a positive day.
“Today was also a day where we're kind of working through the upgrades and seeing if they're working as they should. And they are, so I think we seem to gain performance.
“Nothing's changed too much from a driving point of view. It's still tricky, but it's maybe brought a little bit of lap time, which is what we want.”
McLaren was primarily chasing additional aerodynamic load and grip rather than attempting a fundamental overhaul of the car's balance.
Nevertheless, Norris suggested the extra performance might also be delivering a welcome improvement in confidence behind the wheel.
A promising first impression
The British driver was careful not to declare victory after just one day, stressing that McLaren's engineers still needed to examine the data before drawing definitive conclusions.
But his initial impressions were decidedly encouraging.
“I mean, tonight is the time the guys have to go through everything to analyse stuff,” he said.
“But I mean upgrades, you can have two types of upgrades: upgrades that change kind of a balance and handling, and upgrades that are just there to bring performance, to bring lap time, to make things perform quicker, in the hope that they also improve how the car has been handling. And as we know, it's been a tricky car.
©McLaren
“So today seemed a little bit more straightforward. So, even though the upgrades are not performed to change the handling characteristics, they aim to just bring load and to bring grip; sometimes you get a bit of a difference in feeling.
“And I think today was a slightly more positive feeling, so that's certainly a good start to the weekend.”
São Paulo Grand Prix - Free Practice 2 ResultsMcLaren's confidence was echoed by Senior Director of Racing Randy Singh, who confirmed that the initial technical feedback matched expectations.
"It has been an encouraging day for the team,” he said. "We brought a new upgrade package, including a revised front wing, and the data from both practice sessions indicates that it is delivering exactly as anticipated."
For McLaren, that is an encouraging starting point.
The upgrades may not have magically tamed the MCL40's more difficult characteristics, but if they are delivering the promised performance without introducing fresh complications, Norris and his team have every reason to be satisfied with their first outing.
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