Speaking on Friday after the second practice session at the Formula 1 Grand Prix of Saudi Arabia, Lando Norris admitted that he was “safe”, but not “comfortable” with the rhythm of McLaren.
That level of comfort could be increasing in the hours before the rating.
Norris and his teammate Oscar Piastri led an McLaren One-Two in the final practice session of the week, with the time of Norris of 1: 27,489 only 0.024 seconds ahead of Piastri.
However, that time was also the fastest of the three practice sessions, and put Norris a huge 0.627 seconds of George Russell, since the Mercedes driver was placed thirdly.
Max Verstappen, the current pilot champion, arrived in fourth place. His time was more than eight decisions behind Norris. Charles Leclerc completed the first five.
Now, attention focuses on the qualification, with the expectation that McLaren will block the first row given how Norris and Piastri have worked this week.
However, it was not too long when that was the same stage before qualifying in the Japanese Grand Prix. Instead, it was Verstappen who surprised the field, and the McLaren duo, taking the pole position. The Red Bull driver won the Japan Grand Prix, giving McLaren something to think about the following days.
Maybe those lessons have learned.