Norris only partly understands Ricciardo's difficulties

Lando Norris has been performing much better than his more experienced teammate Daniel Ricciardo since last year. The Briton says he partly understands the difficulties his teammate is experiencing, but also thinks the Australian can solve it himself.

Ricciardo lags behind Norris

The difference in the championship between the two McLaren drivers is significant. The younger Briton scored 64 points this season and even stood on the podium, while the eight-time GP winner is on just a total of 17 points. The gap is too big both in qualifying on Saturday and in the race on Sunday. Team boss Zak Brown has been critical of the Australian' s place in the team since mid-season and his performance seems to be coming under more and more pressure.

Norris said about it to Formula1.com: "I understand certain parts of it. At the same time, I'm mainly focused on myself and that's it. As much as I want to help him or give him advice, it's not like I'm on the track for that. It's a balance; some things I understand, some things I don't." The Brit understands that the MCL36 is a difficult car to drive, with specific characteristics. It's important with the McLaren cars that you grow and adapt.

Norris did adapt

Norris says that especially this year with the new cars it is a more difficult situation. He praises himself for knowing the car inside out, but says it was different at the start of the season: "I had more problems with my driving style and had a harder time than Daniel in the first tests. I felt I still had a lot of adjusting to do." Soon this picture proved to be reversed, as Ricciardo invariably lagged behind Norris on race weekends. Norris thinks Ricciardo's problems are mainly down to the unstable front end of the MCL36. Norris is not usually bothered by this, whereas Ricciardo likes a car with a bit more understeer.