Lando Norris has said that he is “a lot more confident” going into the first race in Australia than the previous year but claims it was “hard” to get a feeling of McLaren’s MCL35.
Norris entered Formula 1 as a rookie in 2019 with McLaren and helped the team to a P4 finish in the constructors championship alongside Carlos Sainz.
The Woking-based squad had a relatively quiet pre-season testing in Barcelona as they tried to understand their 2020 car.
The second test was hit with mixed weather, leaving the Briton unable to get as good a feeling of the MCL35.
"I mean, things are good, I'm very happy with things and the progress we've made since [the first test]," he told Autosport.
The Woking-based squad had a relatively quiet pre-season testing in Barcelona as they tried to understand their 2020 car.
The second test was hit with mixed weather, leaving the Briton unable to get as good a feeling of the MCL35.
"I mean, things are good, I'm very happy with things and the progress we've made since [the first test]," he told Autosport.
"Because of all the things like the wind [which was strong during the days Norris drove at the second test], it's been very hard to get a good feeling of what the car is like.
"But I'm happy - I think we have an understanding at least of what the car is good at and what it's not good at. And those areas that we have to work I think it's very clear.
"So it's not easy and clear just to [say] how different those things [are] going to Australia.
"But we know those areas, which is a good thing - it's not like how or why. I think we understand that.”
But Norris feels he has more confidence going into Melbourne compared to his rookie year with McLaren.
But Norris feels he has more confidence going into Melbourne compared to his rookie year with McLaren.
"As a driver, and comparing myself to this time last year, I'm a lot more confident and I feel a lot better," he added.
"And that's a good thing - it makes me feel [like] I'm in a much better position because of that going to Australia."
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