F1 News
Norris praises McLaren for "going out of their way" to help him develop
Nicolás Quarles van Ufford
McLaren rookie Lando Norris has praised his team for the amount of effort they have put in to help him during his rookie season, as the teenager has impressed this season with two points finishes and great qualifying pace.
The 19-year-old wasn't able to finish his race at the Spanish Grand Prix, as he collided at turn two with Racing Point's Lance Stroll, with the two drivers both retiring following the incident and causing a Safety Car.
Despite his young age, Norris has been involved with the F1 team since two years ago, when he tested for McLaren for the first time at the Hungaroring and impressively set the fifth-best time on the day.
Two years later, he's signed on as a full-time driver in F1 at the team, and with 12 points in five races, he's been solid for the Woking-based team as they currently are best of the rest in fourth place in the constructors' championship. He credits the team for his relatively good start to life in F1.
“I think they’ve gone out of their way this year,” he was quoted by Motorsport Week.
“Everyone within the team, from the mechanics to everyone in the factory, from what I’ve seen, not just because I’m the driver this year, but from what I’ve seen, it seems like they’ve put more effort or more work into trying to help me as a driver or the drivers to be more prepared, to be in a better situation going into every race.
“So having the support from everyone, the bosses, whoever within the team, definitely makes it much easier for me as a driver."
The rookie then singled out mental strength and 'mind management' as a key factor for him that he's working on with the team.
“It’s something I have worked on. I have someone I see to help with those situations, to put myself in a better place.
“So it’s definitely something I’ve already worked on and will continue to work on. But at the same time, it’s something that will also just come naturally with having more races and having results like I have done.
“And obviously as well, people telling me if I’ve done a good or a bad job.”
