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Norris doubts McLaren upgrades will fix Sao Paulo car

Lando Norris, the reigning Formula 1 world champion, expressed uncertainty over whether McLaren’s new upgrades for the Sao Paulo Grand Prix will improve the car’s handling. The driver said the front wing, rear wing and floor components are intended to add performance, but he worries they may make the car harder to drive. Norris admitted the McLaren has been out‑developed by Mercedes, Red Bull and Ferrari, and that the team has only been able to win two races so far. He praised the engineers for turning his feedback into lap‑time gains, but remains sceptical about the upgrades’ effectiveness. McLaren hopes the changes will keep the team in third place in the Constructors’ Championship, which currently sits behind Mercedes, Ferrari and Red Bull. Norris also reflected on the season’s highs, noting the team’s progress from 1.5‑second deficit at the start of the year to winning almost three races. He said the car has improved with each upgrade, yet still feels “horrible” to drive. The Sao Paulo race will be the first chance to see if the new parts make a difference.

· Sky Sports

The essential points

  1. 01McLaren will debut new front wing, rear wing and floor at Sao Paulo GP.
  2. 02Norris doubts the upgrades will ease the car’s difficult handling, fearing they could worsen it.
  3. 03The team has been out‑developed by Mercedes, Red Bull and Ferrari, holding third in the Constructors’ standings.
  4. 04Norris praised engineers for converting feedback into lap‑time gains but remains uncertain about the upgrades’ impact.
The full brief

Lando Norris, the reigning Formula 1 world champion, expressed uncertainty over whether McLaren’s new upgrades for the Sao Paulo Grand Prix will improve the car’s handling. The driver said the front wing, rear wing and floor components are intended to add performance, but he worries they may make the car harder to drive. Norris admitted the McLaren has been out‑developed by Mercedes, Red Bull and Ferrari, and that the team has only been able to win two races so far.

He praised the engineers for turning his feedback into lap‑time gains, but remains sceptical about the upgrades’ effectiveness. McLaren hopes the changes will keep the team in third place in the Constructors’ Championship, which currently sits behind Mercedes, Ferrari and Red Bull. Norris also reflected on the season’s highs, noting the team’s progress from 1.

5‑second deficit at the start of the year to winning almost three races. He said the car has improved with each upgrade, yet still feels “horrible” to drive. The Sao Paulo race will be the first chance to see if the new parts make a difference.