Speaking Friday after his second practice session at the Formula 1 Saudi Arabia Grand Prix, Randorris admitted that he is “confident” but not “comfortable” at McLaren’s pace.
That comfort could be rising in the hours of qualifying.
Norris and teammate Oscar Piastri led McLaren 1-2 in the final practice session this week, with Norris’ 1:27.489 just 0.024 seconds ahead of Piastri.
However, that time was the fastest of the three practice sessions, with the Mercedes driver in third place, and Norris made George Russell’s 0.627 seconds to a whopping 0.627 seconds.
Max Verstappen, Max Verstappen, finished fourth in the driver’s champion. His time was over eight tenths of Norris. Charles Leclerc rounded out the top five.
Now, considering how McLaren played both Norris and Piastri, he’s turning his attention to his qualifications in the hopes of McLaren locking out the front row.
However, it wasn’t long ago that it was the same scenario ahead of the qualifying round at the Japanese Grand Prix. Instead, it was Verstappen who surprised the Field and McLaren duo by taking the pole position. The Red Bull driver won the Japanese Grand Prix and gave McLaren what he should think the next day.
Perhaps those lessons are being learned.
