SHANGHAI (Reuters) – New rear wing tests introduced at this weekend’s Chinese Grand Prix are not aimed at McLaren and the champions will not be affected by them, Formula One leader Lando Norris said on Thursday.
The governing FIA announced tougher tests after last weekend’s opening race of the season, won by Norris, in Australia.
“We don’t have to change anything,” Norris told reporters at the Shanghai circuit when asked whether the change would affect the car’s balance and speed.
“Ours is fine. In fact, ours was probably too good and we probably are not pushing the limits enough, honestly,” he said. “It’s not directed at us, it seems, it’s directed at other teams, which probably means we need to push it a little bit more.”
McLaren swept the front row in qualifying for the race in Melbourne, with Norris on pole and nearly four tenths of a second quicker than Red Bull’s four-time world champion Max Verstappen in third.
Norris also set the fastest lap of the race.
Refreshed after spending a few days in Taiwan post-Melbourne, the Briton said the car was performing well but remained tricky to drive.
“We know in certain conditions, like in the wettest conditions, Max was just as quick as us,” he said.
“In the drier conditions, we were a bit better. So (it’s) just making the car a little bit more predictable and a little bit more comfortable,” he added. “Between (teammate) Oscar (Piastri) and myself there are things that we both comment on, which gives the guys and the girls back in the factory a clear direction on what we want to improve. Yes the car’s great, but we always want more.”
Norris has won the last two races – the 2024 season-ender and the 2025 opener – and is already established as the title favourite.
The 25-year-old said after Australia that he expected McLaren to fare well in China, where he finished second to Verstappen last year.
“I’m hoping we can do better and I’m hoping it can be a bit easier,” he said, while expecting Ferrari to be more competitive.
(Writing by Alan Baldwin in London, editing by Gerry Doyle)
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