McLaren have not scored points in the last two F1 races but Lando Norris has a major upgrade package on his car for this weekend’s Austrian Grand Prix in Spielberg; Norris is 11th in the drivers’ championship; watch the Austrian GP on Sky Sports this weekend
Last Updated: 29/06/23 4:38pm
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Lando Norris conceded he has had to work on his patience as a Formula 1 driver but is hopeful that some new upgrades will help make McLaren competitive this weekend
Lando Norris conceded he has had to work on his patience as a Formula 1 driver but is hopeful that some new upgrades will help make McLaren competitive this weekend
Lando Norris has revealed McLaren’s upgrades at the Austrian Grand Prix will bring performance to the car for the first time this season.
McLaren brought new parts to the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in April which, at the time, the Woking-based team revealed put them where they aimed to be at the start of the season.
Only Norris will run the new package this weekend in Spielberg, with Oscar Piastri getting the updates next week at Silverstone, before further developments will be introduced at the Hungarian Grand Prix on July 23.
“The team have done a good job. We weren’t meant to have these bits here originally, it was only meant to be for Silverstone. So it’s good we have pushed through as many things as we could, especially with it being a Sprint Race – two races to potentially score points,” Norris told Sky Sports F1.
“So it’s the first upgrade that’s really meant to bring performance and make us go quicker. It’s been a difficult start and I’m hoping it will be the thing that allows us to score points more easily.”
Piastri added: “The plan was to have it for both of us in Silverstone but the team have done a very good job of getting one set forward for this weekend. I’m looking forward to seeing how that performs
“We got a stable package on my side of the team. We know exactly what it’s capable of, so still try to get into the points and do what we can.”
Norris sees Red Bull Ring as ‘most successful track’
Norris has been on the podium twice at the Austrian Grand Prix, including his maiden top three at the 2020 race.
He is yet to finish in the top five this year and has not scored points since Monaco. However, he hopes his previous success in Spielberg will change McLaren’s form around.
“I think it has been my most successful track, or Imola, but I prefer this circuit. I have always enjoyed this circuit since I won here in 2015 with Formula 4,” explained the British driver.
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Norris swapped the racetrack for the ball-park as he faced pitches at the London Stadium ahead of the MLB showdown between the St Louis Cardinals and Chicago Cubs
“It’s one we have done well at as a team, one that has suited our car a bit more. Maybe not so much last year, but the years before that.
“I got my first F1 podium here in 2020, so one I will remember and enjoy. It’s good for Qualifying and the races, so normally an exciting weekend.
“It’s challenging because it’s a sprint – one Practice going straight into Qualifying, which I like. It’s a good challenge for us as drivers and the engineers.”
Norris is 11th in the F1 drivers’ championship ahead of this weekend’s Austrian Grand Prix
Sky Sports F1’s live Austrian GP schedule
Friday June 30
8.50am: F3 Practice
10am: F2 Practice
12pm: Austrian GP Practice (session starts 12.30)
1.55pm: F3 Qualifying
2.50pm: F2 Qualifying
3.30pm: Austrian GP Qualifying build-up
4pm: Austrian GP Qualifying
6pm: Ted’s Qualifying Notebook
Saturday July 1
8.55am: F3 Sprint
10.30am: Austrian GP Sprint Shootout build-up
11am: Austrian GP Sprint Shootout
12.40pm: F2 Sprint
2.30pm: Austrian GP Sprint build-up
3.30pm: Austrian GP Sprint
5pm: Ted’s Sprint Notebook
Sunday July 2
7.20am: F3 Feature Race
8.50am: F2 Feature Race
12.30pm: Grand Prix Sunday Austrian GP build-up
2pm: The AUSTRIAN GRAND PRIX
4pm: Chequered Flag: Austrian GP reaction
5pm: Ted’s Notebook