Norris: McLaren F1 Have a ‘Better Car and Some Better Speed’ Than Ferrari When It Counts

In 2020, McLaren replaced Ferrari in the top-3 of the championship table while the latter fell down to the bottom of the midfield. This season, Ferrari seem to be much stronger and were the third-quickest team in qualifying at the Bahrain Grand Prix.

McLaren’s Lando Norris led the mid-field at the Sunday race. The young Briton stated that the Maranello outfit may seem quicker in the qualifying, but the edge belongs to them when it comes to the race trim.

He said, “I overtook Charles five, six, seven laps into the race rather than at the start,” he explained. “That was because we just had a better car and some better speed.”

“So it’s a bit of both, 50-50 between us. But it’s not easy and I want it to be easy. So if we do better on Saturday, then I’ll be happy.”

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McLaren F1’s Lando Norris hopes to gain on Saturdays

Charles Leclerc was faster than the young Briton and qualified at P4, three positions ahead of Norris. However, at the end of the race, the McLaren driver finished two places ahead of Charles Leclerc at the P4 position.

Lando is certainty excited about McLaren’s speed on Sunday. However, he hopes that they can catch up to Ferrari in qualifying.

“Saturdays are difficult for us, I think, a little bit like last year. We’re maybe a little bit more comfortable on Sundays than Saturdays.

“So I don’t want to say anything yet. I don’t want to say anything which isn’t true. But we had a good Sunday, the car was good, so I can be positive about that,” shared the McLaren driver.

The new Mercedes power unit is working out well for the Woking outfit. After the first race, McLaren has a lead over Ferrari of six points. Do you believe McLaren can reclaim the third spot in the championship or will Ferrari see some redemption this season?