Lando Norris has pushed McLaren’s 2025 F1 automotive for the primary time at Silverstone.
McLaren unveiled their all-new MCL39 on social media after it hit the observe for the primary time on Thursday afternoon.
Norris, who completed second within the 2024 F1 drivers’ championship, acquired the possibility to drive it first earlier than handing over to Oscar Piastri.
McLaren head into the brand new season because the reigning F1 constructors’ champions, ending 2024 with the quickest automotive.
Regardless of ending the 12 months strongly, McLaren have made important modifications to their new automotive, with Piastri hinting at “new improvements”.
Norris mentioned the brand new automotive “felt good” and backed up Piastri’s declare that McLaren have made a variety of modifications for this 12 months.
“They’ve modified greater than you may suppose if you have a look at the automotive, which is a cool factor,” Norris instructed Sky Sports activities.
“You attempt to enhance in each space, proper? Like attempt to make it lighter, stronger, sooner, extra highly effective, no matter it’s. I believe each single piece on the automotive has been labored on and improved.
“Typically all of it can add as much as tiny issues however generally you discuss small margins on the identical time. It felt good. It’s good to be again within the automotive. It’s thrilling.
“First 12 months for all of us coming in as champions with some targets on our again. It feels good. The blokes are doing an incredible job. Good to be again.”
Norris prepared for F1 title pursuit
Norris has been broadly tipped because the favorite for the F1 title this 12 months, notably as he ended 2024 with dominant wins in Singapore and Abu Dhabi.
The British driver should tidy up his racecraft, notably towards Max Verstappen, if he’s going to grow to be McLaren’s first drivers’ champion since Lewis Hamilton since 2008.
When requested in regards to the truth he’s the bookies’ favorite to win the title,” Norris replied: “I don’t know. I take it one step at a time. It’s a pleasant factor so I admire all these guys and women who’re betting on me. I’m targeted on this 12 months. I felt good after final season.
“I felt I needed to proceed after Abu Dhabi, ending on the correct word. I do know I wanted to enhance in some areas, some issues.
“I felt like I proved to myself I’ve acquired what it takes. If one thing clicks and you are feeling like you are able to do it now. I’m positively not coming in with any over-confidence or an excessive amount of or vanity.”
