McLaren needs ‘a little more’ to be able to fight Mercedes: Norris

The start of McLaren for the 2022 season is not so easy. The Woking team went through all the emotions from the defeat of Bahrain (zero score) to the Norris platform in Imola. But in Miami, the MCL36s could not confirm the good results obtained in Emilia-Romagna as for the second time this season, no driver has finished with a score.

Lando Norris was forced to retire after colliding with Pierre Gasly, and Daniel Ricciardo finished the race in 13th place after a 5-second penalty was awarded after the race. Disappointment for McLaren which remains fourth in the builders’ stand (46 points), behind Mercedes (95 points) and slightly ahead of Alfa Romeo (31 points).

For Lando Norris, the MCL36 does not have the ability to compete in the race with the Silver Arrows and the C42 of Valterri Bottas.

“Hopefully we can make a few more improvements to the car. It’s hard to know what exactly we’re going to do starting this weekend. We’re behind Mercedes. We’re behind Alfa Romeo. But we’re in a good battle with Alpine and AlphaTauri. Haas is with us too. So it is. I think that puts us in fifth or sixth place. “ explains the young Englishman.

“We have a good rhythm. We just need more to be able to fight Mercedes and the youngsters up front. And we can be happy doing that.” concludes Norris.

McLaren is one of the mysteries of the season and a form that changes drastically according to cycles. After zero points in Bahrain, the team went into gear with 6 points in Jeddah (Norris 7) and then 18 in Melbourne (Norris 5 and Ricciardo 6) before hitting Imola (Norris’ podium). Then in Miami, returning to the world was difficult for a fourth in the final builders’ championship.

But in a year where development plays a key role, all hopes are high for the rest of the season. Unless you bring “a little more” as Lando Norris puts it well.