Norris on why he’s more comfortable in F1 over F2

Lando Norris says he’s felt more comfortable and confident in the start to his maiden Formula 1 season compared to his experiences in Formula 2 having made personal improvements and relying on McLaren’s support.

After just a single season in F2, finishing the campaign as runner-up to George Russell, Norris made the move up to F1 with McLaren this year and has been the standout rookie so far with four points finishes across his opening 10 races.

Norris has put down his rapid success to being more comfortable in his McLaren F1 surroundings when comparing it to how he adapted to F2 12 months ago with Carlin.

“It is definitely not easier and I don’t want to jinx it but I feel more confident in this car and in F1,” he said. “Not just because I am doing well, as at the very start of the season it was very hard to put a lap together, but I felt I was more comfortable in the car compared in F1 compared to F2.

“Not because it is easier or because it does anything, I just have a better feeling for it. I think a bit of it is purely that, that I feel more confident in the car and I have a better idea for the limits and how to always be on that limit. But then a combination of working with the team, preparing for a lot for this year.”

Norris says working closely within the McLaren fold he’s been able to identify areas in his driving which needed improving during his transition to F1 both in and out of the car.

“I think knowing myself I didn’t do the best of jobs last year and I am working on that area,” he said. “I am sure as everyone knows that I am not the happiest if I don’t do a good job in qualifying or the race.

“I think beating myself up sometimes and knowing I am not happy when I do it makes me work harder to do a good job.”

Norris has already secured his future at McLaren after the team confirmed the British driver and Carlos Sainz would form its 2020 F1 driver line-up.