McLaren driver Lando Norris says his team are way off the pace after the first two practice sessions in Azerbaijan on Friday.
The Brit, who sits second in the Formula 1 drivers’ championship, believes the Papaya team are at least 0.3 seconds a lap slower than the front runners.
Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc set the early pace alongside Red Bull’s Sergio Perez and Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton.
But there are still two days until the all-important race and Norris is remaining optimistic that changes can be made to the car in order to close the gap.
He said: “If we nail it we are just about there.
“But I’m sure they are not even close to nailing it yet.
“We have quite a lot to find compared to Mercedes, Red Bull and Ferrari.
“The potential is certainly there”
Hear from Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, as well as Team Principal Andrea Stella, after Free Practice for the #AZERBAIJANGP.🇦🇿
— McLaren (@McLarenF1) SEPTEMBER 13, 2024
“They are all very similar and then there is a good 0.3-0.4secs gap back to us. A lot of work for us to do.
“We always know that Ferrari are very quick here.
“With these track conditions, Mercedes are going be very quick.
“It is very slidey out there. We perform very well in the higher grip circuits naturally and the track is way off where we were last year.
“I’m finding it difficult at the minute but we will work hard tonight. The car is still not bad.
“I’m sure we can still get a lap time out of it but we are not as clearly ahead as we have been at other races.”
McLaren have their eyes set on winning both championships this season and will now favour Norris over Piastri until the final race.
But the Brit has to close an average of around eight points per race to Max Verstappen, who is vying for his fourth consecutive title.
