Lando Norris is the favourite to win this weekend’s Chinese Grand Prix after his victory in the season opener in Melbourne. McLaren haven’t won the opening two rounds since 2003, when David Coulthard and Kimi Raikkonen were driving for the team.
But Norris’ performance in Australia had everything. He edged out teammate Oscar Piastri in qualifying and, perhaps more importantly, he put four-tenths on Max Verstappen in third place.
The race may have been wet, but Norris showcased impressive control, holding his own whenever Piastri or Verstappen put him under pressure. He did have one off, but he was the first to encounter a drenched sector three on slick tyres.
What’s more, he kept going in the right direction while Piastri spun out and tumbled down the order. McLaren then nailed the timing of their switch back to intermediate tyres.
The conditions made it hard to gauge the teams’ true long run pace, and the Shanghai International Circuit is certainly very different to Albert Park in character. But McLaren’s strengths appear fundamental rather than track or condition-specific.
Max Verstappen does a double take after hearing Lando Norris make McLaren balance complaints
During the official pre-race press conference ahead of the Chinese Grand Prix, Norris suggested that the MCL39 doesn’t suit his driving style. He says he ‘very rarely’ has what he wants from the front end at the apex.
The 25-year-old explained that he’s adopted a different mindset. As long as the car is fast, he’s willing to drive according to its strengths rather than demand changes to meet his preferences.
Still, Verstappen was stunned when he heard Norris’ remarks later in the day. Clearly he assumed that the McLaren driver was totally at one with the car after seeing his performance in Australia.
Dutch journalist Ronald Vording relayed the ‘funny’ story on Autosport’s YouTube channel.
“The funniest part is, afterwards, I went to the media session with Max Verstappen,” Vording explained. “He got asked about Lando’s comments and then he said ‘wait, what, what did Lando say?’
“We told him he doesn’t like the car. He said ‘which car, the McLaren?’
“So he was quite surprised. Lando explained it quite well, but it’s still funny to hear the drivers that’s leading the championship say that the car doesn’t suit him.”
Lando Norris suspects he might face a new rival at the Chinese Grand Prix
Based on Verstappen’s comments, it seems that rivals are somewhat envious of the new McLaren. They’d be surprised to hear that it has flaws.
Before the season started, Verstappen called McLaren the only title contenders. He hoped that would change once Red Bull started introducing upgrades.
Mercedes reserve driver Valtteri Bottas has predicted a McLaren one-two, albeit with Piastri leading Norris this time. Andrea Stella and his two drivers are trying to control expectations, but it’s not easy.
Elsewhere in the press conference, Norris pointed to Ferrari’s surprising race pace during practice in Melbourne. They dramatically fell away later in the weekend, but that may have been a hidden sign that they can challenge in the near future.
