Norris: McLaren gains partially came from not 'overhyping' 2019 F1 season

  • Published on 02 Jan 2020 11:17
  • comments 1
  • By: Dieter Rencken & Fergal Walsh

Lando Norris says McLaren benefitted from not overhyping the 2019 Formula 1 season before it had begun.

McLaren enjoyed a strong campaign in 2019, ending the year fourth place in the constructors' standings - its best result since 2012. 

Prior to 2019, McLaren spent a handful of years towards the back of the F1 field, three of which were spent with Honda as its power unit supplier.

MOREQualifying performances shows calibre of McLaren drivers - Seidl | Norris 'loved every minute' of rookie F1 season with McLaren

After its switch to Renault in 2018, its woes continued and it ended the year with one of the slowest cars in the field. For the 2019 season, McLaren brought in Norris and Carlos Sainz in a completely revamped line-up, which Norris believes was also beneficial to the team. 

"I think one of the biggest things that changed was having a fresh start," Norris said. "Two new drivers, new people within the team, new management with Andreas [Seidl] coming in.

"[There were] a lot of changes within the team which refreshed everything but at the same time, because the last years have been so bad, I don't think coming into this year, for a good reason we didn't overhype things as in previous years."

McLaren spent much of the second half of 2018 focusing on the 2019 car, which left the team excited as to how it would perform

Norris added that the environment within the team eased over the year, which helped it settle into a rhythm and pick up strong results, including a podium finish in Brazil. 

"Coming to Abu Dhabi [in 2018], everyone was excited about how McLaren was going to do next year because as a team we [before] said too many things which were making people overly confident," Norris said.

"We didn't do that, which was a good thing. People worked hard over the winter and with that, we started testing.

"We weren't super happy with how testing went, but as the race weekends went on, the environment and everything started to come together more and more.

"So there's been a lot of key things. But two new drivers, new management, people looking out for everyone... putting everything together has made it more enjoyable for the drivers, but also more enjoyable for the team."

Replies (1)

Login to reply
  • It seems like pretty common sense, but Mclaren really did a lot of harm to their team/brand by setting unreasonable expectations. Even in 2018, when they got back to Renault--which by all accounts was a massive improvement-- was perceived by many as disappointing because of the crazy expectations set. All of the bullshit about having the best chassis, etc. The unmasking overshadow a season where they more than doubled the points from the previous season.

    • + 0
    • Jan 5 2020 - 01:29

BE Grand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

BEGrand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

World Championship standings 2024

Show full world champion standings

Test calendar

See full test schedule

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
29 - Mar 2
Bahrain
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia
22 - Mar 24
Australia
5 - Apr 7
Japan
19 - Apr 21
China
3 - May 5
United States of America
17 - May 19
Italy
24 - May 26
Monaco
7 - Jun 9
Canada
21 - Jun 23
Spain
28 - Jun 30
Austria
5 - Jul 7
United Kingdom
19 - Jul 21
Hungary
26 - Jul 28
Belgium
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands
30 - Sep 1
Italy
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan
20 - Sep 22
Singapore
18 - Oct 20
United States of America
25 - Oct 27
Mexico
1 - Nov 3
Brazil
22 - Nov 24
United States of America
29 - Dec 1
Qatar
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
29 - Mar 2
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
22 - Mar 24
Australia Albert Park
5 - Apr 7
19 - Apr 21
3 - May 5
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
17 - May 19
24 - May 26
Monaco Monte Carlo
7 - Jun 9
21 - Jun 23
28 - Jun 30
Austria Red Bull Ring
5 - Jul 7
United Kingdom Silverstone
19 - Jul 21
Hungary Hungaroring
26 - Jul 28
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
30 - Sep 1
Italy Monza
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
20 - Sep 22
18 - Oct 20
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
25 - Oct 27
1 - Nov 3
Brazil Interlagos
22 - Nov 24
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
29 - Dec 1
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule

Driver profile

  • Team McLaren
  • Points 964
  • Podiums 25
  • Grand Prix 125
  • Country GB
  • Date of b. Nov 13 1999 (25)
  • Place of b. Glastonbury, GB
  • Weight 64 kg
  • Length 1.7 m
Show full profile

Team profile

Show full profile
show sidebar